Wednesday June 24th

This morning we went to Nicole's friend who has a vacation place by a river. She showed us her house that looked amazing and even took us on a boat ride! We tanned on the deck, kayaked...

On the way back to Sonoma, we stopped at a high school drive thru to get coffees.

In the evening, I went to see a semi-pro baseball game with Nicole. It

Monday June 22nd

After packing all my stuffs, I layed by the pool to enjoyed a last time the sun, and then I had breakfast and helped everyone cleaning around. We were supposed to leave at 11am to avoid traffic, but no one was ready, so we actually didn't leave until 1.30 pm (what a surprise...)

After saying goodbye to everyone, we FINALLY left. But it was too good to be true because 5 minutes after, Rah-Rah and Nicole decided to stop at a cinnamon rolls place to eat something (even if I don't thing anyone was really hungry..). They had a pretty cool map where we could put a color dot where we are from, so I put Geneva and Julien put Antarctica! (we all know he is secretly a penguin so...)

We weren't back on the road for 5 minutes that Nicole had to stop again, this time to see a college campus. She put Rah-Rah on the phone and they both talked, and talked...all we wanted was to go home as soon as possible! The best way to describe how we felt at this moment is to quote what Nikita kept saying: “Please stop, this is torture!”

For lunch we stopped at “In & Out”, a famous place for burgers. I've always heard that it was amazing but I was disappointed. Way far behind Five Guys!

We stopped 5 minutes later because Nikita wanted to buy something and Nicole suddenly realized that the dog wasn't here! We left her at the food place! She completely freaked out, jumped in the van, leaving Nikita at the gas station and drove on the rode...but the van was too big so she got stuck in the middle of the road on the wrong place, with cars waiting on each side. She was swearing and screaming, she took Rah-Rah's car and drove back there where she found the dog eating french fries where we left her! It was scary but also very funny.

Sunday june 21st

I skyped with my parents for an hour this morning, and then chilled by the pool. Mickey and I walked to the nearest gas station to buy some candy and then we stayed by the pool. We played ultimate football once again, and after dinner, I had a nice talk with John (Nicole's sister's husband) about American universities, about different careers...

With a few other people, we walked to a store where we bought cheesecakes and ice cream that we ate while watching “The Ice Age”

Saturday June 20th

After breakfast, we all met behind the hotel to take the famous family pictures... we took about 1 hour for everyone to be ready, but then, the light wasn't perfect so they decided that we had to do it again in the evening. As we all had to keep our hair and makeup nice for the next pictures, we weren't able to go in the pool all day! A lot of us were burned from the past days, so we put umbrellas and had a “shade party”! Then we went on the only “adventure” of this trip: a 45 minutes bike ride. We took some bikes at the hotel, and rode them on the big road. We just stayed on this road and when we started to be tired, we turned around and went back. Of course, we spent the rest of the day by the pool again, and then we played soccer and ultimate football (ultimate fresbee...with a football).

We had to do more pictures, and for another hour, we stayed still and faked smiles. We played volleyball, went in the hot tub and then had a movie night where we watched “how to train a dragon”.

Friday June 19th

When I woke up, no one else was up, so I decided to go for a walk. I was alone on the side of the ocean, with a breath-taking view, it was quiet and so relaxing! Then I helped preparing breakfast, and one and a half hour later than what we planned, we finally ate breakfast-lunch. I basically spent the entire day by the pool, most of the time in the shade because I didn't wanna burn more than I already did. We went back to the ocean, and went to the fitness room for a little bit. Once again it's crazy how out of shape I am!

June 18th

Thursday June 18^th

When I woke up, we all went to another room to have breakfast with all the family. I was kind of uncomfortable because they all know each other and I don't really know what to say or what to do, but I hope it will pass with the time... After a few non-gluten bagels, we went back down and enjoyed the pool. Then, Julien took me swimming in the ocean: first time I swam in the Pacific Ocean! It was freezing! We jumped over the waves and played, but after 15 minutes we couldn't feel our feet anymore, so we went back to the pool and to the hot tub. I played with Viny (Vincent), a 2 years old boy for about an hour and then we had burgers.

The hotel is also a place where people can have weddings, and there was one this afternoon, so we all went on the side and looked at it. The place was really pretty, and Nicole cried when the bride walked in the aisle!

We spent the entire afternoon tanning by the pool and swimming when we were too hot!

I had lots of fun, but when I left, I realized that I burned! I put 50+ sunscreen and even if I stood 2 hours on my back, my belly didn't burn at all. However I stayed on my belly for about 10 minutes and I was completely red!

And guess who we found by the pool! A couple of swiss people from Geneva! What was the chance?!

And to continue on this swiss note, we ate a raclette for dinner! I haven't had a raclette in one year and a half! Even if we ate it and it was 25 degrees outside, I enjoyed it so much!

Wednesday June 17th

We woke up earlier than usually to get our stuff around. Once we were done packing, we put everything in the minivan, and we went to Rah-Rah's house (Nicole's mother). There, we had to help her packing, and she decided to take “some food”...result: we emptied and took the entire fridge and freezer! Nicole made me try one of their organic drink: you take grass, put it in a mixer and drink it! It tastes gross! And then, she gave me “water” that actually was a glass of laxatives! Hopefully I only drank one zip. Instead of leaving at 9.30 as we planned, we left at 11. We stopped at Anthony's house (Nicole's brother), met Lynn (her other sister) and 10 minutes later finally left for the camp Rah-Rah. Each year, Rah-Rah organizes a camp where all the family meets together. This year, she rent apartments on the beach at Pismo Beach, 4.5 hours south of Sonoma, and 3-4 hours north of Los Angeles. We all followed each other on the road, and 4 hours later we stopped to eat at Chipotle. 30 minutes after that, we finally (I feel like I haven't stopped traveling!) arrived at the hotel. I don't think that I've ever been in something so luxurious! There are 3 complexes of hotels, valets came to unload the cars for us, it is 2 minutes from the beach, there are palm trees and flowers everywhere... It's paradise! Our suites are enormous! A kitchen, living room, dining room, 2 big bedrooms, 2 closets, 1 room for laundry, and 2 bathrooms. The bathtub is so big that I could sleep in it! In front of the rooms, there is a patio, and then a big swimming pool. Oh and there is also a barbecue place and place for weddings! We immediately jumped in the pool (warm water hum...) and the hot tub. Then we went to the fitness room where I ran a mile, and we finally went to the beach. There were seals!

This place is incredible!

Tuesday June 16th

LAST DAY OF MY EXCHANGE IN AMERICA! It's crazy to think it's all over. I didn't know what to expect when I came, but one thing is sure, it was better than everything I could have imagined! Here are a few reasons why this year was so incredible:

-I was in a great family, that hosted me and treated me like I'd always been there

-I had amazing teachers and I studied in a real high school

-I played sports I didn't know anything about, but I liked each of them and they let me be in teams with amazing teammates!

-I discovered the American culture, so much more than what we think!

-and last but most important, I made incredible friends. I was scared of being alone, but these people changed my life. I didn't know it was possible to become so close to people in such a short time! They are the ones who brought me joy and laugh everyday.

Thank you.

Anyway, after these cheezy notes, I am gonna tell you everything that happened today..

After packing the last things I forgot all over the house, I said goodbye to my host family, and to the Kitchen's who were at our house.

Then Teri mom, Ellen (her friend) and I left for Detroit Airport. We drove 2 and a half hours and after Teri made sure I knew where I was going, they left and I was alone in this big airport. But I love traveling alone! I think it is super exited! I passed the security without any problem (surprisingly) and I arrived just on time at Gate A24 to board my little plane. I was sitting at the end of the plane, by the window, with 2 nice ladies next to me. I was planning on sleeping, but I was way too excited for that!

When I arrived in San Francisco, Jean-François picked me up and we drove through San Francisco. It is such a beautiful city! Everything I saw in the movies: colorful houses, tramway, windy, and golden gate! We drove on it and even stopped to take pictures as a good tourist should do!
We drove 2 hours to Sonoma Valley, even if the trip usually takes 1.15 hour (we were in traffic time). They leave in Glen Ellen, a little “town” 10 minutes away from Sonoma. At the house were Nicole and Julien. They showed me their house, a nice yellow house, and their chicken.

Then I went outside with Julien to get Mint and make tea. After Jonas and Nikita (I haven't seen her in 7 years) came back, we packed for our trip and watched the NBA finals.

Monday June 15th

My last day in Indiana! It doesn't feel like it's the end at all! I feel like I arrived a few months ago, not an entire year! I went shopping with teri mom and Delaney to get the last things I needed. Everything was fine until I had to find a pair of sunglasses! I had 2 choices, and I took 30 minutes to decide that I didn't want either of them! We stopped at Debrands, a fancy chocolaterie to get chocolates for my cousins, and I had my last steak shake.

I also bought gifts for the little Kitchen's.

To spend my last moments with my bestie Bri, we went to Auburn to get ice cream, to walmart to finally get a pair of sunglasses, and we stopped by the YMCA to say goodbye to Maddy and her mom. After a delicious last dinner that Teri mom cooked, I went back to the Kitchen's, and after having ice cream (3^rd time this day!) we played kems all together! They all hugged me and said goodbye. I am going to miss these little goofballs so much! They brought joy and happiness in my life everyday!

And we ended the day the only way we know: we colored!
 

Sunday June 14th

Last family day before I leave! We left early this morning, and drove 2 and a half hours to Michigan city (in Indiana...) where there are some sand dunes by Lake Erie. It wasn't really cold outside, but I can't say the same about the water...It was FREEZING! Literally it hurt to be in it! We climbed the dunes, rolled down, played in the sand, swam in the lake (we are so brave!) Before going home, we stopped at an outlet mall. I don't have anymore space in my suitcase, so I just chilled with Mason, and ran around. For dinner, we went to a brasserie. The food was amazing, and Terry dad even got a beer degustation! 6 simples of beer just for him...no worries, Teri mom drove home !

Saturday June 13th

After spending the morning packing (again...), I had a suitcase done! I still have a little bit of space inside, but I am already at the 50Lb limit.

I spent the entire afternoon with Lindsey. We watched American Ninja Warrior on TV, played basketball, she showed me around her house, we played some wii, some more ball.. we didn't technically did anything, but it was great just being with her. It was really sad when I had to say goodbye to her...her parents even bought me a shirt! We both cried when I left her house.

June 12th

Friday June 12^th

Started packing my suitcase... leaving is starting to become real... However I was too tired to be sad, running everywhere, getting stuff out, folding clothes...it's harder that a workout! I relaxed in the evening, playing baseball with the Kitchen's.

Thursday June 11th

Last day of T (Tereza) in America! In the morning, I helped her finishing to pack her suitcase, and I realized that it is about time for me to start!
We literally had to sit on her suitcase to close it! Then we ate at FlatTop, a restaurant where you buy a bowl, and then you can fill it with whatever you want. It was finally time to say goodbye to T...We drove her to the airport and we all cried a little bit.

I went to see another scrimmage because my old team played, but I wasn't in a good mood. I was still sad that T left, and I realized that it would be soon my turn and I don't wanna leave my friends at all! I made such great friends, I became so close to them and they are the people I am going to miss the most!

I spent the night at Stephanie's house. We watched the basketball finals on TV and talked about Switzerland.

Wednesday June 10th

After a morning hot tub, I went home and packed my stuffs for 3 days. Teri mom went to Vegas and she didn't want me to be alone at home (what I don't get because I've been alone at home for the past 10 days...) so I had to go stay at Stephanie's house. Just before I left, I realized that I couldn't find my wallet anywhere! I totally freaked out, and 20 minutes later, got a text from Bri saying that it was in her car...Ouf. Soon after I arrived at Stephanie's, she had to leave so I went to Tereza's house. For T's last day (she leaves the next day), we went to Fort Wayne to watch a TinCaps game. (semi-pro baseball). I went to one during my first month in America, and I found it incredibly boring. This one was fun! I guess, once you know the rules, things become way more interesting!

There were thunderstorms on the way back, and I'd never seen so much lighting! It was crazy and so close!

We stopped at B-dubs for dinner and it was really good!

Tuesday June 9th

I spent the morning helping Mindy because she was babysitting 6 kids! We played outside, have lunch together, then we worked in the garden, took the weeds out... at the end of the afternoon, Bri drove me to the school to go see a basketball scrimmage (a normal game, but it doesn't count, there are no points...). My team, the one I played with all winter, played North Side. I miss playing with these girls, but watching the game made me remember how chaotic it was and how lost I was! I feel like, without the seniors, the team doesn't play as good..I hope the season will go well for them!

All the team then went to Bri's house for her “basketball party”. I had the amazing idea to do a dirty twister (twister with paint) and a slip and slide, and we actually combined both in a paint slide! We put some canvas sheets (bâches) next to each other, put water and soap on it and of course, tons of paint! We just slid down the hill with it, it was pretty cool. However it wasn't so cool when we had 15 girls who needed to shower...and the paint didn't come off!

We watched TV, talked, just spent time together. I love this team so much!

found these old pictures from our basketball session with the elementary!

More pictures from Graduation...

I am 5th rank from the bottom, second from the right

bad pictures, but all 3 exchange students graduating!

Monday June 8th

 

I helped Teri mom babysitting the kids all morning and then went our to play with them and the Kitchens kids. At 6pm I had the spring sport award banquet. Softball, Baseball, Golf and Track! There were so many people, the cafeteria was full! As at all the other banquets, there were plenty of food, but for the first time, I was able to finish my 2 plates! Then we started with the awards. For our girl track team, we had the following:

-top freshman (freshman who scored the most points)

-top scorer (most points of all)

-leadership

-mental attitude.

Guess who won the last one? Me! The coach talked about me, he said that I did really well in all my events, that it was crazy what I had been able to do in 3 months, he said that they all enjoyed working with me because I never complained (not sure I agree with that...), and I was always happy. When I heard all that about myself, I fell happy and accomplished. For me, the mental attitude award is the best one I could have gotten because the team voted on it, the coach didn't decide. It showed me that my teammates really liked me. After taking a few pictures, each team went in a separated room and we talked about our season. I got a gift from my team, a frame with pictures of my events, and lots of candy bars!

It was the closure of my athletic year at Eastside, where I played 3 new sports that I loved!

Track ribbons !

1st place in High Jump, 800m and 4x800m. I even got a Discus throw 1st place even if I haven't threw one discus in my life ! It must have been a mistake but it's pretty funny ! 

Lots of 2nd place too! 

Sunday June 7th

At noon, all the family left to Fort Wayne to celebrate mine and Gavin's birthday. We started by putt-putting. Once again, it is so different from the putt-putt (mini-golf) in Switzerland! Here there is all a background, some waterfalls around the holes, you go up and down hills...We had a lot of fun together, and I did pretty well so... then we looked at cars in an exposition, and Mason even went into a truck, he unlocked it and hit inside!

Gavin chose the place where he wanted to have dinner, so we went Bagger Daves. We made our own hamburgers, and even if the ingredients didn't go together at all (olives with pineapple, mustard, ketchup, mushroom, guacamole, pretzel...

It was a great family day!

June 6th

Saturday June 6^th !

Officially 17! After playing catch a bit this morning, Mason, Delaney and I went to Jayci's softball game. Her team is only 3^rd and 4^th graders when the other team was 5^th and 6^th! All the kids were 3 years younger, it's normal that they lost! Mason, Delaney and I then went bowling. We put some quarters in the junk box and let's bowl! We all played really bad, but I was the only one not terrible so I won both games! Then once we returned home, I quickly wrote Bri a card and I went to her graduation party. It was really nice! She had a slideshow with pictures of her, videos of her basketball best baskets, some games outside, lots of people were there...and she even got me a present! I was her party but everyone also told me happy birthday!

It was a great day, and a super 17^th birthday!

June 5th

Friday June 5^th

Last day of Tessje in America! I woke up earlier this day and went to her house to say goodbye to her. It still hasn't hit me yet that I'm not going to see her again. I hope she'll have a safe trip back to Germany... It won't be the same without my best friend here...

I went to the post office to pick up stuffs and scrapbooked for the rest of the day. Oh and I had a water-balloon fight with the little Kitchen's!

My bestest friend Tessje!

Graduation picture

Fishing with Lindsey

Thursday June 4^th

I had to babysit the little Kitchen's this morning. As they were all crazy and full of energy, I decided to take them to the park. We packed our lunch and rode our bikes back to Southside. There they made a friend and played hide and go seek with her. 1 hour later, Mindy told me she was on her way back so we returned to their house. As soon as Mindy arrived, I left and Lindsey picked me up. We went to her house (that was the first time I went there), and played Just Dance for a bit. I talked a lot with her dad (he is just so nice), we ate and then went to her grandparents' house.

Her grandpa taught me how to fish, and I caught 7 fish in 45 minutes! I was so proud of myself! I heard that fishing was supposed to be relaxing, but I was way too excited to relax at all!

I got to ride on Tyler's motorcycle again, even if we couldn't go too fast it was fun! This engine is just awesome!

They drove me back to Tessje's house where I had dinner with her and her family. Her last dinner in America! It's kind of sad, everyone starts to leave and soon, it'll be my turn...

We ended the night with the only way we know, party in the hot tub!

Wednesday June 3^rd

As soon as I woke up, I got a text from Hannah (who was babysitting the little Kitchen's) asking me if I wanted to go on a bike ride with them. I dressed up quickly and let's go! There were me, Lucy and Jayci on our bikes and hannah was pulling a little trailer with Tate inside. We first drove to Marxton's park, behind the school and we played there for an hour. Then on our way to the library, Jayci fell of her bike and started bleeding so we had to stop at the high school and have the nurse take care of her. We were just on time at the library for the “crazy socks” activity. The kids received a pair of socks and then drew, stapled, or glued stuffs on it. We spent at least an hour there too! We then drove to Southside park where we had a quick lunch, and went back to the library for the rock concert. It was actually a girl dressed up with crazy clothes who sang songs and danced with her. The kids seemed to have fun! Lucy even made me stop the girl in the middle of the song to ask her an autograph!

Tuesday June 2^nd

Party Day! I spent the day scrapbooking and getting things ready for our party. Tereza, Tessje and I planned a going away party and invited all our friends to a bonfire. We had lots of food, games, music, and many people came! Not everyone we invited, but the closest people, and most important, were here. We talked, ate, laugh, we played twister in the grass, we played baseball, basketball and football.. One of our friends brought his guitar, and when it was dark, we started our bonfire, and he played songs and sang. It was such a great moment! Once of these moment I wished could last forever...

Monday June 1^st

I went to Fort Wayne with Mason, Gavin and Teri mom. We spent one hour at SkyZone, the giant trampoline place, and then went shopping. We ate at Cheddar's, a really nice restaurant and really cheap! Then we had to go through the mall to find a pair of shoes for Mason but he didn't like anything!

Later I went to the cabin to pick up the tables and camping chair for our bonfire tomorrow.

Sunday May 31^st

Big day! Officially the last day of my high school career... I can't believe I will never walk through these hallways again and say hi to everyone!

All seniors met at 1.15pm in the cafeteria and after taking a few pictures, we went back in our 2 lines and walked for the last time through the school. As we did, we all started clapping, and soon all we could hear was a giant round of applause. Inside, the gym was crowded. We took our seats under the kind stare of our families and friends. After a few speeches from the principal and some students came the time to walk and receive our diploma, the real one this time! I didn't feel any of the emotions I expected to feel. I wasn't sad, I wasn't especially excited, I wasn't scared...I just felt accomplished and happy. The ceremony lasted 35 minutes, and it was so hot! Everyone was sweating, we weren't able to seat..
Once we were done, Bri gave her class president speech and we all turned our tassels from the right to the left. This gesture symbolizes the passage from a student to an adult.

Once the official ceremony was done, we all joined together, took pictures with our family and friends and then I left with Bri for a round of graduation parties. We started at Ashley's, and once we said hi and ate as much food as we could, we left. We then went to Vanessa's party. She had a chocolate fountain! We also went to Xavier (I didn't know him until then!) and we passed by Brandon and Meghan's party. It was a really fun day! Oh and for my graduation present, Mindy bought me 2.5 pounds of sour patch kids! I now have 4.5 lb at home waiting to be eaten!

Receiving my diploma!