September 30
The first time, I knew that I would go to Florida with Rotary
Youth Exchange Program, I was so happy and so glad. Then I thought twice - If I
go what thing that I will see. I know that they have a different culture,
different food and the same weather. And I don't know anything else. I know only
I want to go.
This is my first time that I go abroad and my first time in
airplane. My journey is a long time because my country is so far from here. I
had time in airplane about 21 hours. That means I had time more than a day for journey. I
transferred 4 airplanes in 5 airports. My parents worried about my journey too much. When
I arrived at San Francisco, I told myself, Now am I in America?? I'm so anxious.
Everybody that I saw have blonde or brown hair, brown or green eyes. Oh! My God.
What's the next thing that I will see??
I arrived at JAX International Airport and met with my host
family. I was a little tired because in the airplane I slept too much. My school
opened on August 7th. It's different with my school in Thailand too much because
in Thailand my classmates are the same grade with me but here they mixed and
school start very early (7.15). Here I met with the first problem. It is a
language. It's so hard because I don't know and don't understand some words and
sometime they talk too fast. I have tests every week that I never had in
Thailand but I try to do it. I also trying to make a lot of friends too.
Since I have left Thailand, I never feel homesick but I don't
know in the future. Because now I'm so happy and having fun with the new thing
that happened with me. And my host family, they are very nice and make me feel
like their home is my home. I met with a lot of people. They are kind and
friendly.
Friends from different country, Brazil, Ecuador, France,
Germany, Italy, and Argentina. They are so nice. We are the friends that means FRIEND.
I'm so happy when I spend time with them.
I want to Thank you Rotarians both district 3330 in Thailand
and district 6970 in Florida, Al Kalter, Larry Murr, Carolin Helbig, my family
and host family. I think this year will be the most wonderful year in my life.
December 31
 The
time goes by so fast. It has been almost 5 months in America. The first time I
thought one year would be forever but now it's just a blink of the eye.
I have had lots of great experiences with the American people.
Just like Thanksgiving Day. This is my first time. We had a lot of good food. I
saw all of my host dad's family and they are really nice. This is my first
Christmas because in Thailand it's not a big deal but here everybody's crazy
about Christmas. I thought Christmas in here is bigger than New Year. I got lots
of presents and had a great time with Dad & Mom's family. I helped mom cook
and made a delicious brownie.
At Halloween night I gave candy to children that trick or treat
and then we went to Savannah, GA with my host family. All of day that we spent a
time there was really nice but have just a little bit cold. We traveled around
Savannah by trolley. It was an old pretty town.
The beginning of December I went to Disney World and saw other
exchange students, also I saw exchange students from my home country too. I was
excited and started speak Thai but Oh!! my God. I forgot my language. Then we
went to downtown Disney to have a dinner and it was raining. We pass McDonalds. Then
in group of 3 Thai exchange students went to Pleasure Island Zone looking for
the restaurant but none of it we saw just clubs. Then we went back to downtown
Disney but the door was locked. Then I pushed the door. Suddenly the security
bell was ringing. Then I turned around. Lots of people were looking at me and I
ran away from there because it was heavy rain and had a dinner at
McDonalds!!!!The second day we went to Magic Kingdom but it was mist all day,
then they cancel the show in front of the castle. In the evening we went to
Pleasure Island to dance. The third day some of us went to Animal Kingdom first
but I went straight to Epcot with some of us. We saw some of our home countries
but It didn't have my home country! At night time all of us conversed again to
see the fireworks. It was pretty. The last day we went to MGM Studio. Three days
was not enough for us. I walked a lot and sleepless because every minute was
important for us to talk to each other. When I came back home, bed felt like a
heaven but I really had a great time to be with all of exchange students.
I also have a great time at school now because I can listen
and speak better than the first month and Mom told me that too. The teachers and
friends were helpful. Thank you Rotary for creating this program, Al Kalter for
helping us and giving us, family and host family to take care of us, and Rotarians
who are always kind.
ANYWAY HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY.
January 6
 |
| Ling shares lunch with fellow Thai
and Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul during the Rotary
Leader's visit to Jacksonville. Read more
on his visit. Learn
more about President Bhichai. |
April 22
Hi,
this is almost 4 months that I didn't sent my journal to the website. I
apologize about that because I got so busy and a lot of thing that I got
through. OK let's start...
On January 6.The Rotary Exchange students district 6970
went to see the RI president at Downtown Jacksonville. That day I got to
sit on the head table nearby the RI president and that meeting was really
huge. I was get nervous, couldn't remember which silverware that I had to
use first and I couldn't finish my plate either because I felt like the
whole bunch of people keep staring at me but anyway I was get through it.
By the way it was a wonderful time that we can be able to see the RI
president.
The end of January all the exchange student from Florida
went to Florida's keys. It was a long long ride but it was a fun trip. At
first we stopped at a Daytona rotary club to picked up a few of our
friends, had breakfast, and see the Rotarians there. After we arrived at
the Sea Camp we saw the American kids from Michigan and some of them from
that area that night we had a little bit of camp fire. The next day I got
sea sick because we went to snorkeling and I never get the sea sick
before. After the trip I called my dad in Thailand and told him that I got
sea sick and he wouldn't trust me that because we are southerner and we
aren't use to have sea sick. Anyway that night we had a little dancing
party. It was really nice. The third days I got a pill from Michigan kids'
teacher that helped me get though that boat ride. In the afternoon we had
the groups discussing about marine environment. Our group presented about
Coastal Development. The last day Rob & Gary had a surprise for us by
took us to Key West because the first we beg them to take us there and
they said strongly "NO" because we had the longest drive but
they made it for us ..Thank you.. So we walked in that area with some of
other exchange students and had lunch at Sloppy Joe's. Awesome..
February 20,RYE went to Orlando for US-Canada conference
and be able to see the people that work for our program and more exchange
students. The first day we walked to Sea World, saw the shows and get on
that ride. We have a wonderful time there. The next day my friend and I
went to International Drive and had a good time. That night at the banquet
we sang "We are the World" and "Love in any Language"
and cried because maybe it gonna be the last time that we can see each
other again. We were all having the great time there proud to be exchange
student.
During the spring break my host family and I went to
camping at St. Augustine. The second night at the camp ground I said
goodbye to my 17th year. I was floating in the tent with the family but we
still had the fun time. We saw the town & fort, yacht ride and good
foods. We spent 5 days at the camp.. Thank you the people that work for
the program. You made up a lot of thing for our life.. the Rotarians that
always support the program. Both of my family. I love you.... |
