Hurricane Irene

Hello Everyone,

I was supposed to leave this morning to go to Spain but due the hurricane my flight has been pushed to tomorrow. So I will arrive on Tuesday. I was really upset at first but I'm glad I have an extra day to get all of my things together and spend time with my family. I hope you are doing well!

Some damage in my backyard

Until next time, Brian 

Farewell Luncheon

Hello Everyone,

Today I went to Carmel Rotary's weekly meeting/luncheon. This was the last meeting before I leave for Spain on Sunday (Oh my gosh! 3 Days!!!). It was great to see all of the Rotary Club members, they are always so warm and welcoming. They really are a great bunch of people. I also very blessed that they were so kind to sponsor me and my year abroad. At the meeting today, the returning outbound exchange student, Valentina spoke about her experiences in Switzerland this past year. I was also lucky enough to meet the inbound exchange student who arrived yesterday. His name is Tizian and coincidentally is from Switzerland. Valentina was able to help him understand what people were saying because he does not know that much english yet. They are both very nice. I went to school with Valentina for many years and I wish Tizian the best of luck in the United States this year. Thsi was a very special day to say my farewell to the members of the Carmel Rotary Club and to Valentina and Tizian.

From left to right: Myself, Tizian, and Valentina

Valentina, Tizian, and I with the Club President Connie

Until next time, Brian 

Packing, Presents, and a Pigsty!

Hello Everyone,

I began the long dredded task of packing. But, much to my surprise it's fun and a lot easier (maybe its because I made a list?) than I thought it would be! I think it's easier to pack for such a long trip because I don't have to go through the process of picking a few select outfits to wear. Instead, I'm just packing most of my clothes that I wear throughout the year. This makes the whole packing process a LOT faster than I anticipated. Last night, I finished packing my first suitcase! All of the things I will need for the fall and winter are packed and ready to go. This includes sweaters, sweat shirts, winter socks, snow boots, ski jacket, gloves, winter hat, etc. I still have a larger suitcase, a duffle bag, and a backpack to pack! I better get crackin'!

Almost done...

Suitcase 1 is set to go!

This evening my Dad and I went out to dinner and shopping to get a few things for my trip. He got me a few very nice goodies for my trip. I got a VERY nice new camera, a portable hard drive for my computer to all of my pictures and things on, and a new flash drive. They are very nice and most definitely be out to use on my trip. Thanks Dad! Also in the picture below with the new camera, hard drive, and flash drive is a green jump drive. It takes pictures straight from your memory card and puts them into a folder on your computer. It makes uploaded pictures SO much easier! It was a gift from one of my favorite high school teachers, Ms. Tornatore. Thanks Ms. T! It was very thoughtful and will get a LOT of use!

My new flashdrive, hard drive, camera, & jump drive

Although my packing is starting to come together, my room sure as heck isn't! My room is super messy right now because I'm packing and what not but I made my mom a promise that my room would be in tip-top shape before I leave for Spain. I have 5 days to cleanup this bomb!

I hope everyone is doing well!

Until next time, Brian =]

Departure

Hello Everyone,

I just recieved all of my flight information today. I will be leaving on next Sunday July 28th. I will be flying from New York to Chicago, Illinois and then to Madrid. My flight departs Westchester County Airport at 9:48 a.m. and arrives at the Chicago O'hare International Airport at 11:30 a.m. My connecting flight departs Chicago O'hare at 4:40 p.m. and will arrive in Madrid at 7:40 a.m. local time which is about midnight on New York time. I will be flying on American Airlines from New York to Chicago then on Iberia Airlines to Madrid. I will be then taking the high speed train which is called AVE to to the city of Zaragoza, Spain where I will meet up with my host family. The train travels at approximately 200 mph and the ride from Madrid to Zaragoza will be about an hour. To drive from Madrid to Zaragoza is about 3 hours.  It's getting very close, only 9 days!

Until next time, Brian

Language Classes

Hello Everyone,

My host mother Marta signed me up for spanish language classes at a local college in order to help me become fluent in the language quicker. The classes are 3 nights a week. She takes german classes there so we will go together. Classes begin the first week of October. Below is the link to the college website.

http://www.eoi1zaragoza.org/

-Brian

Visa: Check!

Hi Everyone!

I'm at work (Shhh, don't tell my boss!) and I just got a notification email from FedEx. My visa has been delivered to my house! I'm SO excited! Now that I have my visa, my flight can be booked and I'll be on my way to Espana! I'll keep you posted!

Until next time, Brian

My School

Hello Everyone,

I found out what school I will be attending in Spain. I will be attending Colegio Romareda. It is a catholic school in the city of Zaragoza, Spain. It is K through 12. There are approximately 1,500 students in the school. My host mother Marta is a Spanish teacher there and my host brother and sister also attend. It is about 5 miles from my home where I will be staying. Although it is a catholic school, the students do not wear uniforms. I have posted a link to the school website below if you would like to check it out. If you scroll down and click where it says "Lip Dub" on the left column, there is a welcome video that shows the school. It seems like a very cheerful and upbeat environment! I can't wait!

http://www.colegioromareda.com/

Until next time, Brian

New Luggage!

Hello Everyone,

As a graduation/going away present, my sisters Amanda and Stacey got me a new set of luggage. I would like to thank them SO much because they will definitely be put to use when I go to Spain and do other traveling while in Europe and they are my favorite color too! Thank you!

Until next time, Brian

My Spanish Family

Hello Everyone,

I met my Spanish host family on July 8th. In the picture, from left to right is my host mother Marta, my host sister Ana (14), myself, and my host brother Inigo (16). Not pictured is my host father Jose Miguel. While I'm in Spain, Inigo will be in the U.S. in Michigan. They came to New York on vacation this summer so I was able to meet them. This was great because most exchange students don't meet their host family until they get picked up at the airport in the country. They are very wonderful kind and caring people. Marta is a spanish teacher at the school I will be attending. Ana and Inigo also attend that school. Jose Miguel is an anesthesiologist. They live in the city of Zaragoza, Spain. It is about an hour from both Barcelona and Madrid by train. They also have a vacation home in the Pyrenes Mountains near the border of France.  I have been communicating with them for a few months now by email. I could not have asked for a better host family.

Until next time, Brian

Visa!

Hello Everyone,

I applied for my visa last Friday, July 29th. The woman at the consulate who was processing my paperwork is from the Town in which I will be staying and she even knew the school I will be going to! It all went very well and I would like to thank my mom and dad for getting my paperwork ready while I was in Florida and my dad for taking me to the Spanish Consulate. I should be recieving my visa in about 2 more weeks and I should be leaving the last week of August!

Until next time, Brian