Leaving Cleveland and the Trip down to Miami

         Well, I am no longer in Cleveland anymore...what a crazy thought!  Monday was my last full day in Cleveland, sleeping in my bed, eating dinner there, and being with my family in my house.  My friends Madi and Ben, came over and helped me pack my two large suitcases (which was so nice to have my friends helping me out)  By Tuesday, we finished up all the packing and weighing of bags and eventually hit the road...always a little later than expected.  It was such a weird feeling saying bye to my cats, turning the light off in my room and walking out and then driving away from my house, knowing I won't be seeing it in a while.  We drove a little while and stopped somewhere in Ohio and then yesterday we finally arrived in Atlanta at my aunt's house. 
       OH MY GOODNESS.......I am leaving in a week.  This is so exciting and scary and just amazing that it is time already.  I had a great last couple days in Cleveland; filled with family, friends, and good times.  I am really thankful that we are going on this road trip before I leave, because it allows me to be distracted and see people and transition into this big move a little more easily.  I really can not imagine just leaving straight from home...I think it would be a lot more difficult to leave that way.  It is so nice being able to see my cousins, aunts, uncles, stopping in Disney, spending time at the beach, and then being dropped off for orientation. 
          I have been in contact with others going to Paraguay (not only in the United States but from all over the world) already and I am so excited to meet everyone at both orientations (Miami and Asuncion).  I am also still communicating with my host family and I am getting so excited to finally meet them and become a part of their family.  I know it will be such an amazing experience.  Only 6 days now until I am on my own...and I am so excited about that; nervous too, but very excited.  Of course I will be missing home, and my friends and family (and cats) but it is time for me to move on and do bigger and better things!  I'll be posting more, probably at orientation and then once I arrive in my new city San Lorenzo, Paraguay.  Thanks for checking in!!!

Two weeks left

   Hello everyone!  Last night I skyped with my Paraguayan family for the first time!  I have been communicating a lot with them through whatsapp a messaging app, but this was totally different!  I actually had to test my Spanish speaking skills and I surprised myself!  I was able to talk and understand what was being said and we had conversation for a few hours.  I talked with two of my brothers and got to say hello to my mom too.  I found out that my oldest brother is a peluquero (hairdresser) which made me very happy to hear! I was a little worried about getting my hair cut there!  They also showed me two of the 70 pet mice they have, that they sell to other people for pets.  My mom is convinced that they are rats, because they are pretty huge, but maybe mice are just larger in Paraguay!  My brother also told me that his parents run a store that is connected to the house.  In the winter it isn't open because people are not out in the streets really, but in the summer, it is open 24 hours!  He said if someone wants something really late at night, they ring a bell and mamá o papá wakes up to deal with it!  My family also knows about my love for pigs already and have been joking with me about the delicious pig head delicacy.  It is true that they eat the pigs head and also claim that it is the most delicious part.  They also say I'll be having it maybe when I arrive haha.  I don't know if it's to torture me or to give me a really nice thing to eat!!  Either way, I'm planning on eating or trying everything (even a pigs head)  they are definitely having fun telling me all about it :)
   My brother also said he would teach me how to cook (because my mom told him I don't know how to cook) And that's going to be fun I'm sure.  They also started to try and teach me guaraní and told me I would learn it quickly once I arrived...we'll see!
   Talking with my family made me feel so much more excited (is that even possible?!!) And more comfortable about going there.  They are very nice, funny, and patient (with our pretty broken spanish) people.  I really can not wait to get there to be a part of the family and be the new baby sister of the house! 
   I have a week and 6 days now (who's counting...?) Until my parents drop me off at orientation in Miami.  I can't believe that it is so soon, but I'm feeling ready.  I need to figure out my packing situation, because I can only take one bag...so it's going to have to be a big one.  I'm also having my fiesta de despedida (going away party) on Saturday and we are trying to get ready for that.  Family is coming in I haven't seen in so long and friends will be here and it's going to be a great time I'm sure.  We leave for Florida shortly after that and then before I know it I'll be at orientation in Miami, then orientation in Asuncion, then in my new home!  Crazy stuff.  Well, that's about it for now.  Thanks for checking in!!

My Placement Information!!!

Hello!!! Today was such an exciting day! I finally received my host family information!  I was completely convinced that I would find out about them days before my arrival, but thankfully I got them today!!! I was sitting in the car waiting for my mom when I recieved the e-mail, and I was so excited that I ran inside leaving the car running with the passenger door open for atleast 30 minutes while I freaked out...whoops!
   I will be living in San Lorenzo, Paraguay , which is a suburb of Asuncion.  I am living with 3 new brothers (Cristian 28, Gilberto (Gili) 23, and Jhony 19), a mom (Dolly), dad (Silvio), dog and apparently cows sheep horses and yes you guessed it...pigs at the family farm.  I immediatly friended my brothers on facebook and talked to all of them for quite a while today (in spanish too!!!)  I am so excited to meet and spend a year with my new family!!! I cant even begin to explain!
   I also found out what I will be doing for work. I will be working in American Corner Paraguay, which is an organization that helps children understand and learn English and things about the culture in the United States. I am so happy I will be working with children.  You can click on this link to read a little more on what I will be doing for work: American Corner Paraguay.
   The countdown has really started...19 more days until I say goodbye to my family and meet mi familia nueva:) I will keep my blog updated with any new exciting news!!

Emma

one month to go

Hello everyone!  This is my first post on the blog and I thought I would share what is going through my head!

Today is exactly one month before the day my parents drop me off in Miami.  It's crazy to think how fast my departure date is approaching.  I still have not received my placement in Paraguay and I am patiently waiting for that information.  I can't wait to hear about my Paraguayan family and where I will be staying, as well as what kind of work I will be doing there.  Right now it is all a big question mark but I am still very excited.  The nerves are also starting to kick in.  Living with another family, speaking a different language and leaving everything that is comfortable to you is kind of a crazy thing, but it is also an awesome thing!  I am counting down the days until i leave...31 as of today!  I guess I don't have too much more to say.  I'm just really excited and a little nervous and just waiting for my placement information!  Once anything exciting happens I'll make sure to put it up!

Emma