Week 42: Beach Day and my final presentation

Week 42:

I spent my weekend with two of my very best friends -Rio from Japan and Allison from Taiwan- in Port Dalhousie, St Catharines. Port Dalhousie is right at Lake Ontario, surrounded by the lake and nice beaches.
My friend only lives 5 minutes away from the beach and we could just walk there.

Rio, Allison and I

It was really nice weather, but the lake was so cold, it even hurt to put a toe in the water!! The area around the beach is really pretty. There is a very old carousel, some ice cream shops and nice places to eat. Many people also like to sail in that area.
Its very pretty and also easy to get around, because St.Catharines actually has buses, other than Niagara-on-the-Lake *sigh*.

Beach day

My last Rotary presentation:

At the end of an exchange year, every Rotary exchange student has to do a final presentation to talk about their life in the home country, their exchange year and what they have learnt or how they changed through their exchange. Well, I did one too. And I was soooo nervous. The presentation had to be 20 mins long and everyone who knows me well, knows that I am terrified of public speaking. But it was quite good after all. I talked about Austria, about my life in Canada and how it changed me, made me more open minded and made me grow mature and independent. 

I really want to thank Rotary. My club has been so supportive and caring for this past year and has helped me though my hard times when I felt lonely. The Rotary Youth Exchange Organisation isn't just about the exchange student, it's more about being a community, meeting people around the world and exchanging stories. My Rotary Club has made me feel like a part of something, a part of a community. There was always somebody who cared about me, and if it wasn't anybody else at hard times, it was the Rotary Club.

And we have also shared so many great memories together! Thank you for showing me this whole new world, I would have never known existed. You all have a special spot in my heart.

My favourite supporters 

Week 41: Last Rotary Weekend and USA trip destinations ♥

Week 41:

Early in the week, I finally found out where the USA bus trip in July will lead us! It is just so exciting!! We will see 24 of the 50 states and will go to so many famous cities and places! I can't wait for this awesome last adventure!

The bus trip route

On Saturday the last Rotary Weekend started. I went to the meeting early because I helped set everything up and was the Greeter *yay*. I stood in front of the Community Center (where the weekend took place) and greeted everyone coming in. 

On Saturday we had a soccer tournament. It was so much fun! I actually love playing soccer, even though I haven't played in Austria yet. I really hope I can do that in the future, because soccer is so much fun! I even scored once which made me happy because all the guys were so good at playing soccer. 

Inbounds played against Outbounds, we were 4 soccer teams. My team won!! 

It was so so so much fun!

Later that day, we went to downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake to see the stores, the park and the lake, where we had some free time. We had ice ream and walked around the old town, which is beautiful! Unfortunately I can't walk there because everything is just so so far away from my house :(

On Sunday was the last day of the Weekend and we had to say our goodbyes. It was just so sad. I didn't have to say goodbye to lots of people because almost all of my friends are on the US trip with me in July, but some of them will go home earlier... 

I love you, Anabel, Allison and Alejandra! 

On the last, day I brought a Canada flag for everyone to sign. We also had to say good bye to the Outbounds, so a few of them signed my flag too. That flag-thing is kind of a tradition and it's just so emotional. When I hang this up on my wall in my room in Austria, I will always remember this wonderful year that changed me so much to a better person. I never want to forget.

My flag that my friends signed

I also had to say goodbye to some of my very favorite Rotarians, who chaperoned us on all our trips. Greg, Mike, John, Lisa thank you for making our exchanges so wonderful. You have become so important to me in this year and I hope I will see you again in the future. Thank you for everything. 

Its not a goodbye, just a see you soon ♥

Week 40: School-a-Palooza and Burglary

Week 40:

That week wasn't one of my luckiest weeks unfortunately.
On Thursday my host grandma took my host sister and me shopping in Toronto. We went to Sherway Gardens about an hour away from my house.

When we went there, I picked up some money to buy stuff I needed and we went to the first store; Abercombie & Fitch. I tried on some stuff and looked around in the store, until I noticed that my purse was gone.
I freaked out and searched for my purse i the whole store and ended up finding it hidden under a stack of clothes. When I found it, my purse was open and everything was in there: my passport, my ipod, my headphones... But not my wallet. In my wallet I had 200$ in cash, all my debut and credit cards, student id's and giftcards worth money. I was so upset because I had lost everything that was important and wasn't able to pay anything for myself anymore. So we went to the store security and the mall security... but nothing. I didn't get anything back. I bet you I will never go in an Abercrombie & Fitch anymore, sketchy place...

Right now I'm waiting for my credit cards to be replaced and I got some money from Rotary to help me out for the next few weeks.

On Friday night, I went to Niagara Falls with some of my friends to go to School-a-Palooza.

It is an event for all schools in the Niagara Region (Stamford, Westlane, St Paul, St Mike's, and my school AN Myer). It was kind of a competition between the schools. We did many different games where all the schools played against eachother and there were little booths (??) every where on Queen's street because there was "Springolicious" going on in that street for the weekend. We could buy food and drink at the stands and just talk to friends.
    
My friends and me

Week 39: Anime North

Week 39:

My friend Katie and I bought tickets for this event in Toronto called Anime North. It is a convention where anime lovers (some type of comic) dress up in the craziest costumes and meet to talk about their fandom and take pictures. At the convention there also were lots of stands with things to buy like tshirts, little souvenirs, drawings, toy animals etc...
I've never really loved anime but my friend does so I decided to go and I had a great time!! We dressed up too and I even made my own costume! I decided to g as a character from the TV show "Adventure Time".
It was so crazy, some people are such huge fans of Anime that they made very professional costumes with crazy accessories and weapons! There were lots of asian people because Anime is originally from Japan or other parts of Asia.

My friend Katie and I

My favorite character Spider man

Week 38: Build-a-bear and Austrians

Week 38:

In the weekend I went to Clifton Hill with my friend and saw this store. Its called build-a-bear and its a store where you can build your own bear (i know very mature). I just wanted to do it, so I did!!!
Its so awesome! I could pick what bear I wanted, what color, what he wears, I could name him and put a scent inside him (i picked cotton candy hehe).

Well, so that's my bear.

On Sunday, my family and I had dinner with two Austrian Friends of my host grandma. I loved it! Their English wasn't fluent so they spoke German to each other, in the Viennese accent, that I missed so much! It felt so good hearing and speaking German again, even though I feel weird speaking German and sometimes can't find the right words. English almost feels like my mother tongue now. And I love it!

I had an awesome weekend!

Week 37: NEW YORK, BABY! ♛

Week 37:

I still can't believe it, but i actually went to New York City on my Sweet Sixteenth birthday! This was the best weekend of my life!
Sorry if this report is too long but I just have so much to talk about!!

On Thursday at night, I went to Fonthill to stay with my Japanese Friend and a Rotary member to drive to Buffalo on the next morning.
Day 1: On Friday (my birthday) we had to get up at 3:30 pm to drive to the Buffalo Airport to meet up with all the other exchange students and the leaders. WE actually didn't take a plane to New York; we drove in two Vans for 7 long hours!

In the van

Best Friends ♥

Every few hours we stopped to get something to eat and my exhchange student friends made me a cute flower crown, a card and a cupcake for my birthday! I love them so much.

the card and cupcake they made for me

On Friday at 2pm, we finally arrived in New York City!!!!! You can't imagine what we all looked like: faces pressed against the videos taking 100 pictures a minute like crazy tourists! ;)
The first thing we did was we got dropped of at the museum of Arts. We only had half an hour to look at all the amazing things in this museum, because our schedule was packed!

Me and my friends at the museum / me and my flower crown that they gave me

After the museum, we walked to the Central Park. It was beautiful, because it was a bit foggy which made the park look so pretty. We took a long walk and i saw some places in the park were actual movies were recorded! 

We were in the place were "The Happening" was recorded

At the place were "Home Alone" was shot

I also loved the image of the park, the trees, the grass and all the nature in a huge city like New York. You could see the nature combined with sky scrapers, which impressed me.

After walking through the central park, we walked through the upper west side to the Subway. I missed all these big buildings and big cities so much! These buildings were huge and slowly disappeared in the fog the farther I looked up.

At night we went to China Town to grab some dinner. I imagined China Town being prettier and busier but it wasn't very impressive. Soho in London, UK is more beautiful.

Day 2: We also went to the place were the twin towers used to stand. They built a Sky Scryper called the Freedom Tower. Unfortunately I couldn't see the squares that were made to springs (where the twin towers used to stand) because it was under construction. 

9/11 memorial

Freedom Tower

After that, we walked through Highline Park. It was sooo interesting because the ground was made of stone, but all around you are different plants and trees growing around railway tracks. The railway tracks were used may years ago to transport things around the city with trains. Now its only used as a park and once again you can see the nature and human creation uniting. 

Highline Park

Then we went straight to the Chelsea market with hundreds of stores, restaurants and bakeries. There was also an elevator which leads you to the Youtube Business place, right across the street from the Google Building! Its just so amazing how many crazy and really important buidings are built in New York City! 

No matter where you turn your head, there is always something amazing to see!

At Lunchtime, we finally went to Grand Central Terminal! It was as beautiful as in all the music videos and movies I've seen it in.We had lunch there and ate delicious ice cream! I loved the "room" where you could stand in one corner of the room and whisper and the person standing in the other corner can understand you clearly! 

The paintings on the ceiling show the star signs and the stars of the sky. It looks so beautiful! 

Madi and Me in Grand Central Station

The afternoon of this sunday even got better, believe it or not. In the early afternoon we maid our way to the Broadway to watch a Broadway musical called "Newsies". 

The story was about around 20 boys who called themselves Newsies, selling newspapers in New York every day to earn a little money to feed their families. These boys are very poor and don't get paid well. As the government cuts their payments, the Newsies go on strike and that's how the whole story starts.

I was so impressed by this musical; these 18-25 year old guys could sing, dance, do acrobatics, act and were just the most handsome guys I've ever seen! This is my favorite musical of all time!

So when the musical ended, all girls were of course fangirling and we couldn't wait to go outside to get pictures and autographs from the boys. I was standing in line and almost got a picture with the main actor Corey Cott, when our leader told us we had to leave. I was so upset, you don't even know. So I was screaming: "NOOOOO!" and Corey Cott made eye contact with me for a few seconds! He totally thought that I was a mental fangirl but I loved this moment!!! I know I'm crazy hahahaha.....

my favorite actor Corey Cott 

A song from Newsies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBfmAZaGyRM

After this amazing musical, we went to Times Square to do some shopping. Times Square was just overwhelming, all those lights and advertisements were so exciting and I couldn't take enough pics! We had an hour to shop and walk around which of course isn't enough for Times Square.. All the people also keep you from walking fast and we had to stand in lines to pay. 'It was amazing how many different people were walking on the streets, from different countries and backgrounds, some in costumes, some business people, some tourists and all so open minded and nice!

My friends and me went to the M&M store and to some souvenir shops. I bought a few little souvenirs and of course an I ♥ NY sweater ;)

                           

At night we ate at a restaurant close to the Times Square. It was a very long and exciting day and I absolutely loved it !! 

Day 3: 

Sunday was sadly a very short day because we had to make our way back at lunch time. In the morning we hopped in the vans and drove right to the Rockefeller center. We didn't go inside but we took pictures of it. I honestly don't even know what its purpose is but it's a very cool building.

 Right after that we went up the Empire State Building. When I first looked down on the city of New York I just thought: "Is this real life?", because I felt like I was looking one of these postcards or pictures on google, because the view was so amazing. I could see all over the city, thousands of buildings covering the ground. And in the middle, this huge green area. The Central Park. I couldn't actually believe that this view was real life. 

Our last stop was the Statue of Liberty. We hopped in the Vans again and drove right to the place where the ferry would pick us up and take us to Liberty Island. The Island is actually pretty small, and so is the statue. I mean it's not actually small but from all the pictures I've seen of it, I thought the Statue would be gigantic. It was smaller than I had expected but still so beautiful! It was a pretty little island with a tourist shop, a food place and a view point to the skyline of New York, which was pretty gorgeous. 

I honestly had the most amazing weekend of my whole life. I finally got to visit the most beautiful and exciting city in the world and I would have never wanted to spend my birthday anywhere else. I'm in love with this city and I can't wait to come back as soon as possible.

Week 36: Me (ME!?) in a Fashionshow and Rotary Fundraisers

Week 36:

On Sunday I was modelling in a fashion show, a fundraiser for the Rotary Youth Exchange program. It was the first time for me doing something like this and I honestly was so scared! Towards a bunch of people in one room I am very shy and feel uncomfortable. This fashion show was at a restaurant, so everyone was sitting at tables, eating their lunch while I went up to them in my outfits and talked to them.I wasn't sure what to talk about but everyone was so nice and complimented me on my outfits and asked me about my exchange life!
I had to try on at least 10 outfits and the whole fashion show was 3 hours long! I modeled with about 8 other models all 30-50 years old which made me the youngest model. There were 2 little girls modelling too- there were so cute! But apart from that I was the youngest model. It was a very fun experience and somethig completely new to me!

Only two hours after the show ended, I went to a pasta dinner for Rotary. It wasn't as I expected. Everyone dressed casually, ate pasta, had fun, made jokes, walked around and taking part in auctions. The whole event was a sponsoring dinner for "Red Roof" (i think it was called) and the attending people took  part in auctions to fundraise for this organisation! They raised thousands of dollars! Its impressive how much money they could raise and I am happy to be a part of that. There were also 50/50 tickets sold and I won a 20$ Subway giftcard! Now I can eat subs at lunch between my classes ;)

I had a very busy weekend and I can't wait for the next weekend! On Friday will be my birthday and I will go to New York City! I am so excited!