This week I finally received the email I have been waiting on for months! I got my host family in Nata, Panama! Nata is a small town with only about 6,000 residents. I can't find much about the town online other than that it is the oldest town in Panama, and was originally colonized by Spanish settlers when they invaded Central America.
My host family is much bigger than I'm used to, but it will be a good experience! I will have a mother, father, two brothers (19 and 10), a sister (24), and my sisters children live there too. I think she has a girl and boy, around 4 and 5! They also have three dogs and a cat! Definitely gonna be different from what I'm used to with my two sisters and outside pets.
I have talked to my host mother, brother, and sister and look forward to meeting them in two weeks! It's been hard to communicate since my spanish isn't so great, and none of my family in Panama speaks english, but I'll make it through. Since I leave so soon I've been rushing around getting immunizations, having doctors appointments and making sure my passport and everything is good to go! I have to finish my online english class this weekend, and then I'm in the home stretch, packing and saying my goodbyes!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Firsts and Lasts
Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, things have been crazy!
From here on out I will only be home in Oregon about a month! I fly out of Medford September 5th, and wont return until next July. As excited as I am, I'm also kind of sad. Only one more month with my friends and family!
Though I still haven't received my host family placement in Panama I am getting more and more prepared for the trip every day. Whether it's shopping, packing, seeing friends and family, working on my spanish and online classes, or just reading up on Panama online, I hope that when I get on the plane I'll be as prepared as I can.
August and September will no doubt bring many firsts and lasts. The last times I will see my friends and family, the last time I will walk out of my home in Oregon, the last time I'll be able to drive! There's a lot of things I'm going to miss, but I know all of the firsts in Panama will be even more rewarding. The first time I meet my host family, or am in a Spanish speaking country, or leave my home and family for more than a few weeks at a time. It's kind of surreal, being fifteen and moving farther away from home than many adults ever do.
Sorry for the delay on this blog, I hope everyone's having a great summer and staying cool!
-brelyn
From here on out I will only be home in Oregon about a month! I fly out of Medford September 5th, and wont return until next July. As excited as I am, I'm also kind of sad. Only one more month with my friends and family!
Though I still haven't received my host family placement in Panama I am getting more and more prepared for the trip every day. Whether it's shopping, packing, seeing friends and family, working on my spanish and online classes, or just reading up on Panama online, I hope that when I get on the plane I'll be as prepared as I can.
August and September will no doubt bring many firsts and lasts. The last times I will see my friends and family, the last time I will walk out of my home in Oregon, the last time I'll be able to drive! There's a lot of things I'm going to miss, but I know all of the firsts in Panama will be even more rewarding. The first time I meet my host family, or am in a Spanish speaking country, or leave my home and family for more than a few weeks at a time. It's kind of surreal, being fifteen and moving farther away from home than many adults ever do.
Sorry for the delay on this blog, I hope everyone's having a great summer and staying cool!
-brelyn
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