Hi Guys!
Today. 10am, on the 6'th of January 2012. I received, by far, the most exciting phone call of my life.
I swung my handbag over my shoulder, picked up my mobile and began walking towards my little car to meet my dear friend, Erin, in town.
I must note that recently, each and every time (for the past 4 months) I hear the phone call I make a run for it, just in case it is EF calling.
Today was no exception; the phone began ringing and I instinctively turned back round and ran to the phone as it sat, humming next to the white pained window. I answered, hoping more than anything it was one of the Aussie EF staff...
From the time I heard a reply from Gemma (who in fact works at EF) i became hysterical. Unable to function or take in anything she was saying, i began writing down everything she told me. Not surprisingly the phone call didn't last too long, and thank goodness for that! As soon as that phone hit the hook I immediately began jumping up and down, screaming; throwing my arms up in the air with the thin pink piece of paper filled of information I had just been given. As I ran outside to find Nan, tears filled my eyes and poured down my face; after such a loooong wait and much anticipation it hit me just how lucky I was. The reality sunk in. Blabbering and yelling over tears and laughter I informed Nan that I had just had the call from EF. (Not that this needed an explanation at all).
I checked out my EF page with my families information and, as i had always promised myself, picked up the phone and rang my new family. By this time I had calmed myself a little, but hardly enough; most of the phone call was a bit of a blur. Regardless, i got to hear both my host mum (Jamie) and my 14 year old host sisters (Janay) voice, which was so so cool!
After talking for half an hour and suddenly remembering I needed to meet Erin in town i quickly thanked them and said my 'see you laters', ran out the door and drove into town...
So far, after returning home and further 'stalking' my family and their (now mine also) state and town I know:
- I have a host dad; John and mum; Jamie. A 14 year old sister; Janay and 16 year old brother; Jayden.
- Their names all start with 'J' and they all have the initials J.L.M! (pretty cool)
- It is 4 degrees Celsius over there at the moment
- I am 15 hours ahead! :P
- It snowsssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!
- Jamie is born in the same year as my mum
- They have two dogs and two cats; all bar one who look just like my pets.
- I am going to a school with 480 something enrollments
- They have a lot of really beautiful lakes around
The list goes on...
Today. 10am, on the 6'th of January 2012. I received, by far, the most exciting phone call of my life.
Until next time,
Rachel x
Friday, 6 January 2012
Monday, 12 December 2011
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
'G.O.D'
Hey guys!!
As I sit here, chocolate at hand, my cute cat by side I reflect on my past week in Victoria. Enjoy…
I have just arrived home after an amazing 8 day trip spanning from Melbourne to Geelong and continuing onto Port Fairy, along the Great Ocean Drive (G.O.D) with mum. Each and every town along our Victorian road-trip was just as adorable as the next; from Lorne to Port Campbell to the rugged, Irish town of Port Fairy and our detour through Beech Forest. What caught my eye the most was when we first drove past the sign welcoming us to the quaint little town of Beech Forest. A huge pine tree had been decorated with Christmas bon bons.
Now, I could rave on about all of the unbelievably attractive towns along the way, but that would take way too long, so I will skip this and continue to talk about a few highlights along the way.
Day four of our road-trip, after surprise visiting family friends, Mum and I arrived at Otway National Park and went Tree top flying! You know when you fly (attached by harness onto a line) from one huge tree too another? Either way, this day was freezing! And let me tell you, flying through a forest in the rain and wind was not the most comfortable of experiences. None the less, the feeling of flying though the air - rain or shine - was incredible. As we headed off for one of our last treetop flights we were given the option of having a photo as a reminder our time. Of course, obligingly, I smiled, all puffy faced and red nosed before jumping off the station into the air.
Day 5 we decided to stop at Port Campbell. a town which can be walked in its entirety within 2 minutes. Once again, it was windy and cold, we even slept with electric blankets. And I'm talking about what’s meant to be an Australian summer!
Day 6; the day we finally got to see the 12 Apostles (not that there are 12 anymore) and I even walked on the ever-popular Gibson Beach, home to the Apostles. Along the way, we discovered Loc Ard Gorge, which I must say was one of THE cutest bays I have seen in my entire life! After seeing a number of signs advertising seals and penguins I was rather disappointed to find no such thing when I reached the bottom of the multitude of stairs. Irrelevant of this I was totally blown away with the beauty of this place, if only I could live here! You will know what I mean when you see the photo (below).
That’s all for now. I must say, hardly anything from the road-trip has been covered in this blog, it would never end if I kept going. I will, however, leave you with a fun video of Mum and I on a windy cliff as we first spot an Apostle. (which will be uploaded when I get to a computer which actually registers the files, latr this week. Keep posted) Enjoy.
Until next time,
Rachel x
P.S :
Even though I have already mentioned the beauty of the G.O.D, I have to reiterate the insaneness of its beauty. On one side you have this clear blue water along contrasting rugged rocks and cliffs, and then when you turn your head to look out the other window you have lush green fields.
Loc Ard Gorge, Victoria (copyright)
As I sit here, chocolate at hand, my cute cat by side I reflect on my past week in Victoria. Enjoy…
I have just arrived home after an amazing 8 day trip spanning from Melbourne to Geelong and continuing onto Port Fairy, along the Great Ocean Drive (G.O.D) with mum. Each and every town along our Victorian road-trip was just as adorable as the next; from Lorne to Port Campbell to the rugged, Irish town of Port Fairy and our detour through Beech Forest. What caught my eye the most was when we first drove past the sign welcoming us to the quaint little town of Beech Forest. A huge pine tree had been decorated with Christmas bon bons.
Now, I could rave on about all of the unbelievably attractive towns along the way, but that would take way too long, so I will skip this and continue to talk about a few highlights along the way.
Day four of our road-trip, after surprise visiting family friends, Mum and I arrived at Otway National Park and went Tree top flying! You know when you fly (attached by harness onto a line) from one huge tree too another? Either way, this day was freezing! And let me tell you, flying through a forest in the rain and wind was not the most comfortable of experiences. None the less, the feeling of flying though the air - rain or shine - was incredible. As we headed off for one of our last treetop flights we were given the option of having a photo as a reminder our time. Of course, obligingly, I smiled, all puffy faced and red nosed before jumping off the station into the air.
Day 5 we decided to stop at Port Campbell. a town which can be walked in its entirety within 2 minutes. Once again, it was windy and cold, we even slept with electric blankets. And I'm talking about what’s meant to be an Australian summer!
Day 6; the day we finally got to see the 12 Apostles (not that there are 12 anymore) and I even walked on the ever-popular Gibson Beach, home to the Apostles. Along the way, we discovered Loc Ard Gorge, which I must say was one of THE cutest bays I have seen in my entire life! After seeing a number of signs advertising seals and penguins I was rather disappointed to find no such thing when I reached the bottom of the multitude of stairs. Irrelevant of this I was totally blown away with the beauty of this place, if only I could live here! You will know what I mean when you see the photo (below).
That’s all for now. I must say, hardly anything from the road-trip has been covered in this blog, it would never end if I kept going. I will, however, leave you with a fun video of Mum and I on a windy cliff as we first spot an Apostle. (which will be uploaded when I get to a computer which actually registers the files, latr this week. Keep posted) Enjoy.
Until next time,
Rachel x
P.S :
Even though I have already mentioned the beauty of the G.O.D, I have to reiterate the insaneness of its beauty. On one side you have this clear blue water along contrasting rugged rocks and cliffs, and then when you turn your head to look out the other window you have lush green fields.
Loc Ard Gorge, Victoria (copyright)Saturday, 26 November 2011
It's been a while
Hello chickadees!
Note: I have a phobia of cane toads.
As some of you know I have a passion for taking photos and only a matter of weeks ago my father gave me a rather expensive Sony a65 camera for my chrissy present!! :O So, i have been taking hundreds and hundreds of amazing photos. I have ridden my bike down to an old battered house, chased butterflies from flower to flower in the heat of the day and today I spent some time photographing my model dragonfly. Now, let me tell you, this dragonfly was the best insect to photograph. He just sat there on the bromeliad plant working his stuff; he even turned around to face my camera lens directly - quite the model. All was going great; my model was working his magic. It wasn’t long and he decided to fly to a leaf closer to the camera; even better! I propped myself up to better view Mr. Dragonfly and quickly glanced behind the foliage to check the sight was clear. Quietly resting on the beautiful contrasting bromeliad flower sat a fat, evil eyed toad! I swear I almost had a heart attack. I had been leaning closer and closer to this dragonfly for some time now, completely oblivious to the cane toad which sat directly behind. No surprise that was the end of my photography session with Mr. Dragonfly today.
Aside from that shenanigan I have finally graduated high school (last Thursday) and since then have been to Schoolies. And tomorrow I am flying down to see my mummy furthermore to Melbourne, where we will then road-trip along the Great Ocean Drive. I am quite excited!
Hope your days have been good to you.
Until next time
Rachel x
Friday, 28 October 2011
Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
Hey guys!
Just a bit of backgroud on whats going on with the whole hearing from our host families; there are 37 Australians travelling to the US and only about 12 have got a family as we speak.
However, I dont have my family yet! D:
There is a group on facebook for all the EF Aussies going to the US and another group for all the exchangies across the globe with EF going to the US, and I swear nearly all of them have their family; a notion super exciting for them, but :( for me.
I have uploaded a video to go with this blog, just cause I wish to try the whole v-blog thing out ;) So, I hope you enjoy the video!! Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltcZvPty5ds
Until next time,
Rachel xx
Just a bit of backgroud on whats going on with the whole hearing from our host families; there are 37 Australians travelling to the US and only about 12 have got a family as we speak.
However, I dont have my family yet! D:
There is a group on facebook for all the EF Aussies going to the US and another group for all the exchangies across the globe with EF going to the US, and I swear nearly all of them have their family; a notion super exciting for them, but :( for me.
I have uploaded a video to go with this blog, just cause I wish to try the whole v-blog thing out ;) So, I hope you enjoy the video!! Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltcZvPty5ds
Until next time,
Rachel xx
Saturday, 22 October 2011
So far...
Hello!
I am so excited to have started this blog! I hope you all enjoy it. ( I will also have a vblog which I will post about later in the piece)
So as you all know I am crazy excited right now because I will be jet setting off to the USA in January 2012 as an exchange student for one year. Im telling you there is so much preperation, but its all fun because I have my trip in mind the whole time! I just got back from Sydney after my visa interview with a US consulate, which has been approved. Even though, really, there was nothing to it (only asked a few questions and got fingerprints taken) it was still exciting; I am now one step closer to the USA!
The one thing at the moment I am most looking forward to is hearing from my host family and then the flight over to meet them for the first time. Actually just the idea of flying to LAX airport makes me want to jump up and down.
I have already bought a suitcase looking like the Aussie flag to take over with me. And I have a couple of small things for the host family.
Anyway, as I am so close to GRADUATING high school (only 19 or something days!!!!! :DD) i must get back to my assignments :(
Until next time.
Rachel x
I am so excited to have started this blog! I hope you all enjoy it. ( I will also have a vblog which I will post about later in the piece)
So as you all know I am crazy excited right now because I will be jet setting off to the USA in January 2012 as an exchange student for one year. Im telling you there is so much preperation, but its all fun because I have my trip in mind the whole time! I just got back from Sydney after my visa interview with a US consulate, which has been approved. Even though, really, there was nothing to it (only asked a few questions and got fingerprints taken) it was still exciting; I am now one step closer to the USA!
The one thing at the moment I am most looking forward to is hearing from my host family and then the flight over to meet them for the first time. Actually just the idea of flying to LAX airport makes me want to jump up and down.
I have already bought a suitcase looking like the Aussie flag to take over with me. And I have a couple of small things for the host family.
Anyway, as I am so close to GRADUATING high school (only 19 or something days!!!!! :DD) i must get back to my assignments :(
Until next time.
Rachel x
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