The Metaphorical Swing

There are only 48 days until I leave for New York. This is only a little stop. I promise! Unless something happens to the plane.... Anyway! No bad thoughts! Shoo! Vanish! I'm starting to feel the nervousness when I think of leaving my family at the airport, meeting the other AFSers in New York, meeting even more AFSers in Rome, and finally meeting my Italian family.

It's truly moving and astonishing that I, and other people around my age, are taking this jump into a whole other culture. It's pretty terrifying in an exhilarating way. I did this as a kid and I still do this, but when you're swinging really high on the swing at the playground and you're really pumping your legs. There is this point where you have gone as high as you can on that swing and when you get to that point... You let go and fly. It's a rush for your little kid self. Your mom is screaming that you'll break your neck and your heart is pounding, but you love it and you want to do it again and again. This is how I feel. I'm working so hard to make this experience happen and I'm close to jumping off and flying.

I'm getting all teary eyed! So all of my fellow AFSers, I can't wait to take this jump with you and soar.


And I got my visa papers today! After all of the hard work of making an appointment, I will finally get my visa!

:(

Ciao!

67 days until I leave for Italy! Unfortunately, I don't know yet here I am placed yet

FANTASTIC CHAT SESSION!!!!!

I just had the most engaging, goofy, inspirational, supportive conversation with some people who are going to Italy with me and I have to say these people are crazy, but in a good way. The kind of way where you just immediately know you guys will be best friends. That's a pretty insane feeling to suddenly feel in the midst of an agonizing Rosetta session. But besides the point that I suffered through Rosetta, I want to say to my fellow AFSers that we will have a great time and don't worry. To my cousins who are probably reading this, no I wasn't in a conversation with Mr. Hnng because he just doesn't do stuff like that.... I guess. Anybody else reading this blog... Please don't ask about the insanity my cousins and I create. It's probably catching. Back to the amazing conversation. So thank you to Katie, Kara, Luc, Shayla, Elliot (you know who you are), and anyone else I didn't mention thank you!!!


Ay

Ciao!

Ok! My name is Ayannah Albrecht, I am 17 years old, and I live in California in the USA! This blog is basically something for my friends, family, and others interested in exchange programs to have a look inside my life for the time I am away in Italy. The program I am with is commonly called AFS, or American Field Service, and I have really enjoyed participating in their events like PDO, pre-departure orientation (even though it was mandatory). I have talked to other people who are also going to Italy with me and who I will hopefully meet in the fall! Nothing really exciting is happening here in my little town. So farewell and until next time!

Ay