Nisser!

So just checking in from Norway! It is now Christmas time or 'Jul' which is a really big time in Norway. Every night at 6 pm everyone gets together and watches 'Blåfjell' or Blue Mountain, which is a children's TV series which involves 'Nisser' or Gnomes who live in the Blue Mountains and come out every day and mess with the locals and hang out with each other--it is pretty awesome.

We met in Oslo with all the other exchange students the other weekend and had a blast, we went to the statue park (Vigelandsparken) which was awesome, ate some rockin' sushi, went to the Opera House, the Rådhus which is sort of like the town hall, and just had a great time around the city! This trip wasn't organized through Rotary, we all just decided to meet, but it is amazing how that first Rotary Language Camp really bonded us all together :)

On another note, Thanksgiving was, as you all know, about two weeks ago, and MacKenzie (other exchange student from Washington State) and I made Thanksgiving Dinner with my host family, and served it to 25 Rotarians and host family members! It was seriously a massive meal--never made Thanksgiving Dinner before in my life but I am officially a pro--the things one learns on exchange!

Anyway, happy holidays and I hope all is well with Steamboat Rotary!! I will hopefully have some photos and stuff about Røyken Rotary for a bit of Norwegian Rotary Experience for you guys! Hade!

Accomplishments, Accomplishments, Accomplishments!

You know you have been in a foreign country for quite some time when:

• you use the word 'quite' in a sentence.
• you title a blog 'Accomplishments,' and then check the spelling over Google because you can't remember how to spell it in your native tongue.
• you approach English-speakers in a mall and when you ask where they're from in English, they reply to you that they come from AMERICA because they think you're one of the locals.
• you secretly make fun of City Names in your head like 'Skogly' because it sounds like skoooogly gooooogly.
• the world feels really big and really small at the same time.

So that was my little introduction to my next blog about my exchange in Norway. Typical exchange student-isms are so obvious sometimes--I literally see it daily between my other exchange student friends. So things are going really well over here in Norway. Of course, all days aren't easy, but I have yet to experience a day where I would really not want to do what I was doing, and being here. I really love it here for so many reasons--it isn't just my phase where I love everything about the country disregarding its faults--I just really appreciate it for what it is. Norwegians are a lot more cultural than I ever thought--some cultural differences are pretty vast. They have a lot of preconcieved notions I had no idea about in the U.S. such as they thought everyone in the U.S. just ran around suing each other for slipping on each others' floors. I thought that one was pretty hilarious--except for when it is true.

I had a WONDERFUL time at Language Camp--took amazing pictures, learned some Norwegian, and met all the other exchange students. We jumped in the fjord, climbed a HUGE mountain, and basically had the time of our lives. After that, I was in Bjerkvik with my host sister. We stayed with my host brother and his girlfriend--basically just had a week of relaxation--let me tell you, over here in Europe they really know how to relax! We got to see where Joakim worked in the military (that is my host brother), and he works with weapons and all sorts of cool things like tanks that we got to see! Then it was back to school for me--homework, tests, etc. I visited Oslo one day with a few other exchange students and decided I LOVE that city--it is SO beautiful and there is so much to do there! For someone who has never lived in the city, Olso is quite the culture shock. Also, we definitely walked by the shoestore where Snoop dogg was, just buying his shoes with tons of Norwegians surrounding the store to sneak a peak!

This week we had 'Operation Docksworth' (or however you spell that), which is also called O.D. dagen, and it is an day all Norwegian schools participate in at some point where everyone raises money for an organization. This year, we raised money for children who wanted to go to school--especially girls-- in Rwanda. We had many presentations all week, and also a rap group that came to the school that is called Gatas Parlament.

They were a little vulgar in comparison to what we are allowed to have at schools in the U.S., but they were fun! For the actual O.D. dag, MacKenzie (the other exchange student) and I baked cookies for 3 hours to sell the next day. It is compulsory to raise at least 400 kroners which is about 80 dollars, but together, Mac and I raised about 1000 kroners--almost 200 dollars! For cookies! People really like 'American cookies' sold by Americans haha. For many people, however, they told us it was their first homemade cookie they had ever had! Can you imagine a world without homemade cookies??? I can because I'm living in it!!!! This is the organization that we raised money for:

I also attended the Rotary district conference where we saw a number of interesting presentations about making Rotary more international online and also just some motivational speakers about how anything is possible--one from a guy who had lost both his legs when he was young! He was pretty amazing. I also attended a Rotary meeting last week where we had a great presentation about a Norwegian who has an organization in Sierra Leone where they give children without parents or who can't go home a home and a bed and a school to go to--sort of sounded like the organization Mary Walker is established with in Africa. I thought that was pretty cool. Especially because that is something that could really interest me in the future--how cool would it be if I could work with an organization like that and use my Norwegian occasionally! Just thought it was a good idea! Anyway, let me know what is going on with Rotary over there--I would love to hear about some of the projects you guys are working on as well! Hilsen!

Grattulerer med daggen!

Happy birthday! From all angles here in Norway :) I turned 18 on September 14th, and my host dad's brother was 50 on September 11th. The birthday t

radition is quite different over here in Norway for some things, but I am learning all about the customs and culture. As for my birthday, it couldn't have been better. I was told 'Grattulerer med daggen' or 'happy birthday' by SO many of my classmates, and I had tons of posts in tons of languages from all my friends online through emails and facebook. It was really nice to see you haven't all forgotten me, and I was expecting that no one here would have known it was my birthday--they did NOT forget! People I never even talk to said happy birthday to me from my class, so overall, it was really nice. My host family took me out to an Indian restaurant because they know i love spicy food--Norway is not a particularily spicy country as we eat mainly meat, potatoes, brocolli and cauliflaur for dinner. They then surprised me with a nifty technological gift that I have yet to discover, and my parents and family friends surprised me by sending me packages filled with gifts and goodies! Overall, it was a great birthday over here in Norge.

As for my host dad's brother, he had a party up in Averøy for

his birthday--about a ten hour drive from Nærsnes! My host dad and I did the trip together and stayed with his other brother while we ate the BEST fish soup, cake, and visited with relatives. I met many new family members and heard a TON of Norwegian for five days. Other than one American I met there, it was all Norwegian all the time, which I am used to, except for the fact that it was a different dialect! This made it exceedingly difficult to understand, but it was a great exercize for me. It really helped me with my Norwegian! Now at school bokmål doesn't seem so hard! (Bokmål is the common dialect spoken here in the Oslo area.) We also went on many hikes and saw the most BEAUTIFUL scenery as Averøy is an island in the country--most definitely. It was some of the best scenery I think I have seen in my whole life. On the drive back we went through the mountains and saw some AMAZING famous fjords. Here's a taste of Norway for ya:

Norwegian is coming, slowly but surely, and with enou

gh conviction I hope to have it pretty down by Christmas so I can understand all of the Norwegian jokes and cartoons they have arou

nd the holidays. I have eaten many interesting things since I came here--my first taste of caviar, pickled herring, moose, sheep, liver paste, and NORWEGIAN CHOCOLATE. Can you tell that that one was my favorite? Norwegian chocolate is SO good. I have to say America REALLY needs to work on their chocolate skills. Just saying. I don't know if they do, but if some of the things I say sound a bit funny, it is probably because I am doing a little bit of Norwenglish translating in my head, which is actually great! That means I'm learning--I hope!

We have our language camp in Kinsarvik next week with the other Rotary exchange students in Norway--I really can't wait for that, it is going to be a blast! We have yet to all meet together--just over the internet! The week after that is fall break and my host sister and I are going up to NuNorge to Norvik to visit Joakim, the oldest host brother and his girlfriend. I definitely understand what all exchange students kept telling me--life of an exchange student is just...busy! With all sorts of things!

I have arrived!

Hei Rotarians!

Hope you are all ready to see how awesome Norway is because I arrived this Sunday and have been having SUCH a blast! My host family took me to their summerhouse and we swam in the Norwegian sea, rode in their boat, played board games, hung out, and SPOKE NORWEGIAN which was definitely good for me. We are back home now and I start school this Friday--send good vibes my way! I will attend my first Rotary meeting this Monday at 6:30 pm--a time which is here called the afternoon because the sun does not set until like 10 or so....pretty cool stuff! Anyway, I'm not sure what else to say, so I'll just put some pictures! I'm having an amazing time! These are pictures of a Viking ship being built to replicate an old one to be put in a museum, and the other is of the cake I baked (bakke cakke) with my host sister!

Nearly Goodbye!

I am leaving August 6th! It is decided! And my flight from Texas to Amsterdam is a 13-hour flight...by the way! I couldn't be more excited and nervous! How do you pack for a year with two weeks worth of clothes? Well I'm not really sure but I'm about to find out, I guess. My host family has really been accommodating to me coming soon! They are helping find a music program for me to attend after school and many people to help me out with my Norwegian. If the Rotary in Norway is ANYTHING like our Rotary, I am CONFIDENT that my exchange is going to be amazing. However, no matter what happens, I know I am the definer of my exchange, and can't wait to make it an amazing experience. Anyway, I will be at the next few Rotary meetings, and then I'm off! So see you all soon!

Anna Poirot

Kelly Ernst - Back To The Boat

Hello World Wide Web,

Im posting from Rose (Pronounced Rose-aye) Switzerland for, what I am lead to believe, will be the very. last. time.

*Gasp*

I am packing my bags as I speak (or rather, taking a break from the relentless mental stress that packing up your life into two sets of 20 kg  takes). The one suitcase, one backpack, and one clarinet I have left with, has officially grown into 2 suit cases, a fully stuffed duffle bag, a backpack, my new freitag (please see * below,) one clarinet and one ukulele.

I am planning on leaving from die Zurich Flughafen  (or, for all those who are not fluent in German, that would be translated as the Zurich airport.)

at 11:55.
to land in DIA- 11:34, exactly 24 hours after. *Another Gasp*

If I could express how surreal  everything has become within these past 5 days and the next 5 days to come, I would. All I want to do is tell you everything and how incredible this country is, and how beautiful the people are, but how could I possible do such an immense job with merely words on a blog.

This year has meant so much to me, and the people I have met, the things I have had the opportunities to see and do, merely jotting down my adventures would be doing them injustice. Merely writing out my gratitude and appreciation for all the people who have helped me make this year as incredible as it was, Rotarians and Swiss friends and families alike, would never be able to accurately express how truly thankful I am.

All I can say is that I am planning on going out with a bang these last 5 days.  Between trying to fit in the next couple days of touristing (Tomorrow I am planning on seeing some of the biggest underground lakes in Europe, and the day after, a high ropes course in Bern) and seeing every incredible person I have met this year to say goodbye, I shall return to Steamboat, hibernate for a few days, and explain to everyone my adventures as they should be explained when I get back to the boat.

So, my friends, can you count to 5? I sure hope so, because I will reluctantly need some help.

So, Ciao for Now,
Kelly


* Freitag bags:  Freitags are ALL the rage here in this country of Switzerland. Created by the Zurich native Freitag brothers,  these bags are made out of all recycled material, are waterproof, heavy duty, and every single one is unique. These bags are made from the tarps used to cover the trucks transporting goods to and from Switzerland, therefore giving these bags a beat-up vintage look with no repeats of color patterns. The straps are made from car seat belts, and the seams are sewn with the rubber from the truck tires!
Anyone who's ANYONE in Switzerland has a Freitag-
Here is the Website-

http://www.freitag.ch/shop/FREITAG/page/frontpage/detail.jsf

This is a picture of me and my four friends with our Freitag bags. Mine is the second from the right.

Really exciting news! (Anna Poirot)

Hei Rotarians!

So I have some pretty exciting news! I have received notice from my host family, and I will be living in Naersnes, Norway, for my year abroad! It is roughly 25 miles from Oslo, the capital, which is pretty exciting! I was about 90% sure I would end up somewhere in the Arctic Circle, so this will be a little warmer!

My first host family lives RIGHT by the water, and by water I mean ocean! I'm by the Oslo Fjord, too! Doesn't that just sound like the most scenic thing you have ever heard of? I'm really excited. The bus stop to take me to Oslo is 2 minutes away. Not only all of this, but my host family sounds AMAZING. They all sound unbelievably friendly, and they have three kids, one of which is a daughter age 16, so hopefully that will make assimilating into school smooth!

We also had our orientation for exchange two weeks or so ago. It was great to see all the outbounds and inbounds again! The closer I get, the more real this all seems, and the more excited I get! The one thing I definitely gathered from orientation is that we are only probably going to be allowed one suitcase, so I'll be packing maybe 3 weeks worth of stuff and heading to an entire new country! In all honesty, this makes it a lot easier to think about what to bring: ESSENTIALS. I'll get back to you on what those actually are, though :)

I have to thank hugely, among ALL the Rotarians, supporters, and friends I have gained and met in this experience so far, Berry and Cornelia, because they are amazingly helpful whenever I have questions, and just generally awesome people, so thanks you guys!

Well that's about all I have for you all for now, but please let me know if you have any questions! I'll hopefully be popping up in some more Rotary meetings soon!

Anne Poirot!

Budapest! (Kelly Ernst)

Hello Rotary! Its Kelly here, just giving a little update from the other side of the pond!

Switzerland is really great. Its beginning to look a lot like summer and I could not be happier! Even though the average weather is supposed to be rainy, snowy, and/or gross, global climate change has really been kind to me for my exchange year to Switzerland! 

Although, I am not really in a position to right about the Swiss weather at the moment because, in fact, I am not even in Switzerland at the moment. 

I have been spending my time recently in Budapest, Hungry!

Yup. 

Believe your eyes dear folk, You read it right. Budapest, Hungary. 

The easter break has come and, thanks to the fact that the majority of Europe was was under some type of Catholic regime, in some way shape or form, at one point or another,  there are two whole weeks of break for Easter. Taking advantage of that, I packed my bags and headed to Budapest. 

This situation came to be because, in fact, (long story short,) my first host family had a family friends daughter stay with us over the Christmas break. The girl is my age (Vikki her name is) and is really great! We got along really well, and now, I am at her house, bumming around Budapest! The picture on the right is her and  behind the Buda Castle.

The city is really very beautiful. Last night, I ate dinner at the Buda Castle, and we walked around the city. I saw the Citadella of Gellert Hill and the Hungarian parliament building. The night before, I spent the night at another hungarian friends house in a small village called Tordasch.  There we spent the night around the fire and dipping our feet in the pond. It was really very nice. 

The really cool thing about my trip is that now, after living in Switzerland for 8 months, I am able to see this new city and new country through completely different eyes. Not only do I have the United States to compare differences with but I have Switzerland too. The different ways of life, the people on the streets the government systems, how life is run;

I have another pair of eyes to experience the Hungarian lifestyle with. 

Hello Again! (Zane Elston)

Hello Again!

The past month has been absolutely wonderful. I was able to spend three weeks in Bangkok with my host family, and had a great time. We spent time visiting the Wat Pho and Wat Arun temples, and they were simply gorgeous. My family took me on a luxurious dinner cruise on Chao Phraya River. We did a tour of the Vimanmek Mansion that was built for King Rama V in 1868. It is The largest building in the world made of Gold Teak. We also visited the Jim Thompson house; Jim Thompson was an ex-CIA spy who popularized Thai Silk. Bangkok is an amazing city soaked in rich culture and history.

Throughout my time in Thailand, i have learned a great deal about myself, and my perspective on just about everything has changed. It has broadened my views on everything from spicy food to world politics. It has been a humbling experience that has made me open myself up to other ways of life and I am extremely grateful to the Steamboat Springs Rotary Clubs, Cowboy Country Rotary District, and Rotary International.

Zane Elston

Cornelia Pade - Visit from home

Hello to all of you!

About a month ago i flew to Chicago, to meet up with my parents and sisters. They had flown all the way from Denmark, to come visit me for two weeks.  It was wonderful to see them again, after having spend 7 months apart.  We spent 4 days together in Chicago, which was very interesting to all of us (we don't have skyscrapers in Denmark, and really almost none in all of Europe).

We spent a day at the Chicago Art Institute, the impressionistic collection alone occupied a hole day. It was time extremely well spent, and I got to see some of my favorite pieces of all times.  The three other days were spent exploring Chicago, with such tourist activities as the Hancock tower and an architectural bus-tour around the city. Plus of course shopping, and a great deal of time spend in the airport (which I personally came to know quite well, trying to get from one end of the airport to the international terminal, proved to be no easy task).  Seeing a city of such proportion, was kind of mind-blowing to us, and I don't think we really understood how big a city it was before we arrived.  Chicago has almost 3 million people living in the city alone, and 9.5 million with its suburbs...Denmark (yes, the hole country) has 5.4 million people all in all.

After 4 days in Chicago we flew to Denver. We spent a day there seeing the dinosaurs at the natural history museum.  The next day we drove up to Steamboat, in our huge "american style" rental car. We spent 9 wonderful days together in Steamboat, before it was time for my parents and my two younger sisters to head back North.  It was great to see them again, cause even though I am having a really good time here in Steamboat, I can not help but miss them now and then.  Everyone here was so nice to them, and they truly did enjoy their stay.

Thank you to everyone here who helped out with their stay, and a special thank you to Rex and Bettina Brice.

thats all for now. Cornelia.

Anna Poirot - Preparations...

So, although I am not yet on exchange, I am beginning my postings early, by telling you all my preparations. In case you didn't read my last blog, my name is Anna Poirot, I am currently 17 and go to Steamboat Springs High School. I will be spending my next year in Norway, although I don't know which part of the country yet. So far, my preparations include many books on the history of Norway, a current issues class at the high school in which I'm hoping to study Norwegian and United States history and relations together, and a million different "learn Norwegian" audio tapes that I've downloaded on my ipod and listen to daily. Unfortunately, I've only learned how to ask for a cup of coffee, so I guess that's all I'll be able to drink in Norway...just kidding. Anyway, I get more and more excited about my exchange every day, and it's always in my thoughts when I go to work to earn money (mainly saved for the exchange), and when everyone is asked about which college they are going to next year, I get to reply,

"Well actually, I'm going to be in Norway all of next year." It's awesome and I cannot wait for my exchange. In reading everyone's blog, I've really gotten excited about how my exchange will be. Before I even leave I definitely want to thank all of you Rotarians, if it weren't for you, my next year would be completely different, and I am so PSYCHED!!!!!

Thanks guys!

Anna Poirot

Alli Major - Nine days and counting..

I have great news from the land down under!

First of all, i just wanted to thank Rotary SO SOOO SOOOOO much! I couldn't ask for a better exchange, and yet it keeps getting better and better.


I'm not sure if you all know about it or not, but earlier this year, Queensland got hit with major flooding and a cyclone (which is what we call a hurricane, in America). The affect that had on Queensland was massive and heartbreaking. Due to there rainfall up north, though, it ended up heading down towards, Victoria, where I am. Now we had flooding in my town, Charlton, back in September which was minor to that of January.

The town was 2/3 underwater! Imagine walking through Lincoln Avenue hip high in water! That's what it was like here! It was the most affected town in Victoria due to floods. The community is so strong in Charlton though, everyone ended up putting on their gum boats and going to work. I, personally, was apart of the 1/3 that was not affected by the flood so it gave me a great opportunity to lend a hand where i could.

I thought i would share that to just give a little preview of how great my rotary club and district here is. Even through all this flooding and disaster, they are willing to sponsor me to go on the big Safari!!! This is a chance of a lifetime and i will see more of Australia than many of my friends, here, have even seen. I was under the impression that i was not going due to finances because it is quite costly, but through a series of events, they have told me that they are willing to sponsor me which is more than i can ask!


So basically, Rotary is the coolest thing ever and i am so so soooooo EXCITED!

This trip is 20 days long and i leave March 26th. I'll get back to Charlton on April 14. During these three weeks, i will travel all up though the outback seeing many sight. I'll see Uluru (one MASSIVE rock in the middle of nowhere), stay under ground in Coober Pedy, fly to Cairns, go along the Gold Coast and go to Sea World! This is just a few of the many things i'll do and see and i am so excited!

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Nine days and counting...


On other news, we have moved into Autumn now and it's starting to cool down (like to the 60s, late 60s, which isn't cold in your terms). But i am getting so acclimitised here, im so scared to go back to coooolddd winters!


Thanks all for reading! And a HUGE thanks to Rotary. You guys have definitely made my trip worth while! :)

Alli Major

Kelly Ernst - 6 Months down and… whoaoooaaa

Whoaooooooaaaaa. Is the only word I can POSSIBLY think of at this moment. Trying to decided what to write about for this blog, I have to look back at this whole year and pick something cool to write about, and there are just so many wonderful thoughts and experiences and good memories, the only thing I can extract from the chaos inside my head is Whoaow.

I guess I'll tell you about our Rotary weekend. This last weekend was the official Rotex Winter Weekend. It was located in Enlgeberg Switzerland and was putting on by the Rotex, which is not Rotary directly, but a group of students who have done a year of exchange in the past, and now plan fun events for us.

So, about ten of the exchange students in my area met up where we took the train to the base of the alps and were joined by 70 exchangies! There we PILED (literally) into a train and headed off to our own private chalet where we ice skated and just chilled the whole night. In the morning, it was a 7:30 wake up, and of to the ski slopes at 9. But wait. Theres a catch. On the ski slopes, we never actually used any skis. Pourquoi you ask? (pourquoi is why in french) Because we took the days to go Bob sledding!!!

We had this tiny sleighs and we would take the gondola up, a ride that took approximatly 8 minutes, then slide down a run the resembled Why-Not (The green run that you face right after you get off the gondola that crosses paths with Vagabond somtimes) and it took us 30-40 minutes to get down! The run went on forever and ever and ever! We even got competitve and started having these giant races, which… unfortunately to say, I lost…. every single one. Though it was becuase my Swedish partner Bjorn has a philosphy, that goes something like "Slow and steady wins the race"  but in reality, is should be like "Slow and steady makes you fall down often, and lose."

But I didn't complain :D

It was a great weekend!

But now its back to Fribourg (the city where I live) and seriouse life of school and vacation planning continues. Right now, I am working on finalizing the details for a trip to Hungry to visit a friend over the  Easter break, and then perhaps a quick trip to France for the blues break!

But I must get back to my history of Switzerland homework,

So,

Au revoir!

Bérénice Rioux - cold, Cold and COLD again!

HELLO !

The first month of the year 2011 is over..
2011 has started wonderfully. Our trip to Mexico was amazing. I'm not going to tell you about it. Anna already did it, and I really want you to come to our presentation about this trip on February, 8th! But I do really want to show you my favorite picture of this trip. I took this while i was playing with this little boy in one of the orphanages.

Last week end was dance showcase. I'm really glad a lot of you came and, I think, enjoyed the show.
The experience was unique and really fun, a little bit dramatic sometimes though. But I think the result was good, and everyone had fun. One of my dances was with glo sticks. For those of you who couldn't come this is how it looked:

Next Tuesday, we'll talk about our trip to Mexico at the meeting. I really hope all of you will be there, to share with us this incredible experience.

See you really soon!

Bérénice.

Kelly Ernst - Rotary National Conference

Bonjour a tout le monde!

comment ca va?

 La Suisse is just incredible, everything is so great! I have fallen in love with this little country. Like I am sure I have already mentioned, the Rotary here has generously given all of us exchange students Abonnment General's and I don't think a day will go bye where I  don't remember to thank the lord that the I have it! I have been able to go to every crack, corner and lost crevice of this country. I would tell you about all the places that I have seen but, there are so many you would be sitting here reading this for hours!

But last weekend (or rather, yesterday) 

I made my way down to Geneva for Rotary National Conference, where I walked in a flag parade with abotu 40 other exchange students! There was a similar one that happened at the very very very begining of the year, the only differance was that it was on the OTHER side of the country, and it was all in german. This time it was in french. 

 

Pun Kitsiripat - Hello!

Hello i am Pun , exchange student from thailand
i have been living in Steamboat Springs almost six months
i have alot of new experiences and alot of fun so far
i have been skateboarding alot in summer and
been snowboarding alot in winter but never been snowmobile
and i have been to 4 games of Hockey and 1 game of Basketball ,
Football and Lacrosse  and 2 of Heavy Metal concerts so far
and going to another big concert on Feb 8th and i would like to
 go to The NBA All Star Game that would be so cool

feel free to ask

Zane Elston - Hello From Thailand

As of now, I have been here for five and a half months, and it is all going far too quickly. I have been enjoying every part of life here, from the food to the natural features of southeast Asia to the massive cultural difference. Everything here is nearly completely opposite what i am used to in America, and that alone has made my time here extraordinary. This has allowed me to learn so much about myself and life in general; it has renewed my outlook on the world.

School here is, well, different. But its an easy transition, and I have made amazing friends in school that I believe I will keep for my entire life, as well as the other exchange student friends that will be scattered around the world next year. And as different all of us are, I seem to be able to connect to Thai kids just as I did my American friends.

I just finished spending an amazing week in Bangkok, and at the beach of Hua Hin. I absolutely love Bangkok and all of its great attractions. In Hua Hin I had the opportunity to go Kite Surfing and I had what I consider to be the best day of my entire life.

Being in a country that receives absolutely no snow is a huge difference, and I am ecstatic to go skiing next year :D

I am now back in Chiang Mai. My two month summer vacation from school is set to start in a little bit over a month, and I really hope to do much more traveling around the country at that point.

I spent new years in Myanmar with my host family, and the gigantic poverty really made me value my life that much more. The economic condition of Myanmar is beyond dismal, and it's pretty saddening to see living conditions like that.

I have also gone elephant riding a few time into the jungle, along with a few bamboo raft trips. The bamboo rafts are nothing more than 10 pieces of bamboo lashed together by leather, and that was an amazing experience. I also have had the chance to visit many buddhist temples. The temples here are nothing short of amazing, and there are soooo many.

And with that I'm not sure what else to say, if you have any questions feel free to ask!

Anna Poirot - Agua Prieta, Mexico

Hi All,
My name is Anne Poirot and I am an outbound student for next year. I will be spending my year in Norway, although I don't know when I'm leaving or where exactly I'm going yet. Anyway, I was going to post a few words about the Interact's trip to Agua Prieta, Mexico that we take each year and just returned from. As an outbound student I am required to, but also willingly participate in, all these wonderful opportunities Rotary provides for us.

This past four-day weekend we had off of school, we used three days to travel down to Agua Prieta, Mexico with bundles and bundles of gifts sent down to their Interact Club. We delivered these gifts, with the Agua Prieta Rotary and Interact clubs, to three different orphanages. Handing out the gifts to the kids was, needless to say, a very rewarding experience, and a great opportunity, for those of us who knew some Spanish, to speak a little, and play some new Spanish games with the older kids. After all the kids had gifts from all three orphanages, we drove through some of the poorer areas in Agua Prieta, and handed out gifts to passing children. It was truly life-changing to see living environments like these, and although it was sad, I think we were all warmed by the excitement of the children when they recieved gifts out of the blue. We also got the opportunity to see some of the things Steamboat's Rotary has given to Agua Prieta, such as a water tower to filter water at a school, and heating for a physical therapy center.

This was a large part of our trip, but we also had the opportunity to "interact" with the other Interact kids down in Mexico by such activities as bowling and the fiesta that the Rotary down there put on for us. We ate and danced, learned cultural customs and games, and truly enjoyed our stay, not leaving a second unappreciated. On our way to Mexico, we stopped in the town of Tombstone, Arizona and saw a "Shoot-Out," more or less a comedic interactment of the wild west. On the way back, we stopped in the town of Bisbee, Arizona, a quaint town built on a hillside, which required some really intense power walking up the hills. It was here that we discovered many antique shops, and even met a salesman who grew up in Craig, Colorado! Go figure!

Over all, we all became closer as a group, and made friendships that we will probably never forget. The experience was rewarding, exciting, and extremely fun for all involved, and I hope we continue to have the resources to annually take this trip!

Alli Major - 6 months down,,, six to go!

G'day Readers!

coooooo-eeeeee! 6 months in Australia! It is sooo great! i really couldn't ask for a better exchange! I have been up to a lot since my last blog! and lemme tell ya i have loved every millisecond!

Christmas was absolutely amazing and about 90 degrees! a bit different from a white Christmas. My family and i made sushi for Christmas lunch then an amazing roast Christmas dinner! my mum here is a very very very good cook.

Boxing day (December 26th) my family went to Beachport, South Australia.

Now i have lived my whole life thinking that i was a snow kinda girl. But i reckon that week at the beach changed me. I absolutely fell in love with Beachport. It is a gorgeous little town, the population is only 400. We got to ride the horses along the beach and it was SOOOO FUNNN!!!!



The Rotarians here are excellent. A Rotarian couple took one of me mates and I to Canberra, Australia's very own capital and it was grand! we were able to do all the touristy things like looking at the Parliament buildings and different museums and the embassies! (: and we got a day of shopping and that was especially good ;)



Well if yous have all been keeping up with world news, I'm sure you would of heard of the Queensland floods. :O they were so destructive! Many dead and many missing :( Thankfully i am in Victoria and not Queensland but my heart goes out to all them there.

Not nearly as bad as Queensland floods, Victoria has been affected by floods and my town was hit the worst i reckon. :( Now we got flooded back in September but the 2011 floods were WAYYYY worse. And with such a small community, i know so many people that lost so much, whether it be animals or things when the floods went straight through houses. Part of Charlton was safe, the part where i live because it's on a hill so I'm grateful for my move. My first host family got hit pretty bad :( Power was out anywhere from a bit less than 24 to about 48 hours depending on where ya lived. The river went straight through the main street and a few businesses had their windows caved in. Blessedly, no lives were lost and no one is missing in Charlton. Everyone is safe. :) The flood waters have receded and now it's clean up time!!! :)


it was definitely a good year to come to Australia, I've got to witness all these once in a lifetime happenings! and i have fallen in love with Australia. I really like being here.

Catch Ya Later Mate! ;)