An unfortunate change

I have just received not so good news... I am switching host families. The host family that had originally signed up to host me is no longer available to host me because they are moving. Upon my arrival in Brazil I will be staying with a welcome family and they are currently looking for a permanent host family. If a permanent host family is found before my arrival then I might go directly to their house, but otherwise I will stay with the welcome family until I get another family. It's sad knowing that I won't be able to settle in immediately which will make the transition from home to Brazil even harder. In addition, I once again don't know the people I will be spending my year with. I don't know what will happen if AFS can't find a permanent host family in Lauro de Freitas. I'm leaving Alaska in 14 days, so hopefully AFS will be able to find me a new family asap. Cross your fingers.

Less than a month!

Oi! I am leaving Alaska in 25 days! I'm so excited to get on that plane. I've always loved airports and plane rides, it means you're going somewhere! I feel as though I'm ready to leave already, but it's a good thing I still have a bit of time because I still have so much to do.
I've had my predeparture orientation. It was only me so I helped cook a Brazilian meal with my local volunteer and a girl who is currently in Alaska from Brazil with AFS. It was really good! I'm really excited for all of the new, interesting, and delicious food I'm going to eat during my year abroad!
I've been out of school for a month now and it definitely makes time go by faster, but I still feel like it doesn't go fast enough because I'm still here! I know what I am bringing for luggage and have all of my host family's gifts in my carryon (don't want the breakable things to break) but other than that, I haven't thought much about packing yet. I think I will officially start about 2 weeks before I depart.. or in 11 days.. weird.
My language skills are not improving at all, I feel very unmotivated to practice, or do anything really. Now I sleep a lot and work. I know I'll regret it once I get to Brazil!
That's it.

Host family!

About a month ago I received my host family! I live with my mother, my 15 year old sister, and my soon to be 13 year old brother in a small town called Lauro de Freitas which is 10 minutes by car from Salvador, the capital of Bahia. My home is located on the sea front, how exciting! I will attend a private school not far from my house. It is so exciting to finally know the people I will be spending my year with, it makes it so much more real! In addition to receiving my host family information, I have also received my official travel itinerary. I need to be in Miami by 4:00PM on February 8th, so it looks like I will be departing from Alaska on the 7th of February... 66 days! In other news, I graduate from high school in just 12 days, or 9 school days! Finally I will be able to study Portuguese more, and pick up a few extra shifts at work! My Portuguese definitely needs a lot of work, but considering that I only knew how to say hi not that long ago, I've come a long way! I'm very excited for that day when I can speak well and confidentially!

This is Lauro de Freitas!

These are photos of my house!

Tchau!

Interview!

FINALLY I have submitted my full application and have set up an in-home interview! It has been a year since I decided to go on an exchange and now I can't believe 6 months from now I will be leaving! After my interview it will be about a month before I hear back from AFS. I am so excited to hear that I have been accepted and will be spending a year in Brazil. Reality is setting in and I have a million emotions running though my head. As much as I can't wait I am glad that I will be spending one last semester at my high school before I graduate and go abroad.

Tchau

The Beginning

Hello! My name is Jennifer Allmaras, I am seventeen years old, and I attend West Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska. Beginning in the spring of 2012 I will be spending an entire year studying abroad in the wonderful country of Brazil with AFS, (American Field Service). This will be a gap year between high school and college because I am graduating at semester my senior year (December 2011). I am so excited to experience something completely new, and create a new home for myself across the globe! I'm ready to meet amazing people and communicate in another language. I'm ready to face great challenges and be lost 98% of the time upon arrival. I'm ready for Brazil!