David's Adventures in France

Quick Facts...

	Nickname	David
	Birthday	Sept 18
	Hobbies	Soccer, Skateboarding, in lining, rock climbing, snow boarding, paint balling, trekking, camping, cliff jumping, exploring nature. Also, participation in: The "First Youth" Youth Group, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Partner's Club's work with "Special Olympics"
	Education Goals	Go to college to pursue a degree in International Business Law
	Hometown	Fort Smith, AR
	Sponsoring Rotary Club	Fort Smith Southside, AR, USA
	Hosting Rotary District / Club	1790

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Notes from France...

	RETURNED TO THE USA on January 14, 2001
Tuesday, November 28, 2000 7:42 AM	Hello District 6110 I've been indulging in these last few weeks of the semester. The constraints of first trimester exams are becoming a bit stressful. So, I've been trying to mangage my time while keeping me studies and personal life in equal perspective. Winter break is almost here and everyone is relieved to see Christmas approaching. Holiday markets are popping-up all over the region and the slopes will be opening soon. My traveling cycle has slowed down a bit, but I'm counting on a few good trips up north to Luxembourg and Belgium before the New Year. I realized that today marks the 327th day that I haven't driven this year. I've become so accustomed to walking everywhere. Which I think has paid off a little since I've been able to see some of the great off-rode countryside. Anyway, the lastest breaking news in my town has been focused on the Presidential election (no comment for the moment), next the new Mc Donald's (which in a town of 8,000 people is a huge modern advancement, keeping in mind that the closest fast food restraunt is about an hour and a half in any direction), and finally the recent news reports of Mad-Cow Disease, which for the moment is being strictly supervised (No real danger) I also wanted to thank all of those who have been keeping me updated about the passing events back home. SEE YOU ALL SOON! David
11-10-00 11Octobre 2000	The Cycle Has Begun So, Fall is finally here and so are all the new exchangers. It's incredible to see so much character and life in the new group. I was interrogated by all the English speakers as soon as they caught on to my nationality. Questions upon question that I could only answer from one personal perspective. I found myself looking into a mirror with me on the other side. Nine months ago, I was asking all the same questions with hopes of getting some great "manuel". I never got the manuel; I got some advice instead. "Your year is what you make it and get used to the dogs in the restrants". So, getting used to the dogs in the restrants took some time, but what really opened my eyes was this quote. I've heard this quote used in many different ways (your life is what you make it) etc., etc, but these last nine months in France have really pushed me to keep chasing after this challenge. Everytime I go back to my benchmark, where I stared this year, I'm reminded of these little metaphors for life. The common truism in all of these little paralles of life is personal effort or rather our personal effort. The doing, making, contributing, and trying all of which, are active events that get us through the good an the bad and at the same time help us intograte into our personal daily experiences (OUR LIVES). In the simplest terms, the golden rule is you and your actuality, how you use it and spread it and share it with others. While relishing the good times and holding on throught the challenges you are creating this one great amazing adventure LIFE. Enjoy the ride! Lotsa LucK!! DAVID (I wrote this after One Amazing Day at school!)
Thursday, October 05, 2000 10:22 AM	I always like to get news from home. Basically, I've been revising for test and meeting all the new exchange students that arrived last month. I can see that the program is growing in this area. There are about double the number of students this year. I've been getting all my winter stuff ready because I know this region (Lorraine) is very polar. Last year was a fluke (no snow) but this year I hear is suppose to be a bit chilly.
Wednesday, August 23, 2000 9:55 AM	Dear Rotary I can't believe it's already been 7 months. This year is going by quickly. I feel like I've been traveling all summer. I got back from Cannes about 3 weeks ago. The South of France is beautiful during Summer. My host-family and I spent 2 weeks traveling the coast of the Mediteranean. I met people from all around the world. It was a really great trip ,and the best part for me was spending July the 14th (Indenpendence Day) watching fireworks in Cannes. France has a truly amazing spirit of celebration during national holidays. The language is going smoothly; everday I feel more and more fluent and comfortable when speaking to people. I'm learning new exprssions and vocabulary faster than ever and I even started dreaming in French a few weeks ago. Thanks again Rotary for this great experience. I'll be keeping in touch.
May 21. 2000	Well, things couldn't be going any better. I got back from Germany two weeks ago (It was a great trip). Our journey started in Strasbourg and from there we went on to the capitol in Munich. We got to tour a wonderful museum of impressionist artwork at the Stadtische Galerie in Lenbachhaus. We also spent three additional days just exploring Munich and its surroundings, then on the fourth day, we headded into Salzburg in Austria. Our first stop in Austria was a "la maison natale de Mozart" (Mozart's birthplace). After the tour, we went on to see some of the valley sites throughout Salzbourg where "The Sound of Music" was filmed. I have to admit for a school field trip, it wasn't that bad. I even picked up a little bit of German during the trip. All in all,it was a great experience. I want to thank everyone again for this opportunity in France. I am honored to represent this district and I appreciate this chance I've been given to experience a great new way of life. The beginning of summer is approaching and hopefully in the coming months I will have some more news to report back. A bientot till then!
	The wooden soldier next to me was our guide in this part of the mine. The history of the mine was being translated into French, Italian, and English. Luckily, there was an English group reight next to ours, so I got to hear the translation twice. (I understood the French translation for the most part, but there were a few complicated things that only came together in the English translation.) May 2000
	A friend of mine took this "shot" during the German trip. The two girls behind me are some of my classmates and the picture was taken in an ancient salt mine in Berchtesgarden, Germany. May 2000
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2000 8:04 AM	I've had a lot of free time on my hands these last two week (It's Easter Vacation, right now in France) so I got to do a good bit of traveling with my host family. I think it was about a week ago when we got back. The trip was incredible we stopped off in Paris for 2 days and covered a lot of the touristic terrain. After the two days in Paris we moved on to the west coast in the regions of Normandie and Brittany (which are the areas most known for the battle of 1944). We stayed in a little summer cottage for three days. The cottage couldn't have been in a better spot. We were two hours from the historic beaches of Omaha, Utah, and Juno. Also, If you like cathedrals or abbeys. I hope you get the chance to visit the region of Normandy some day because the abbey of Mont. St. Michael was an incredible sight. France is truely a get place to visit because of all of it's rich history ...Well I have to go the library is closing and my time is up. Best wishes through this new year.
April 5, 2000	Two weeks ago I was in Nancy for a really big Skateboard competition and there were people from all over France. The week after that some friends of my host family dropped in for a visit ( they were from Begium) and they brought some of the best chocalate I have ever tasted. Today is the 5th and two weeks from today is the sort of spring break/Easter Holiday and during this time I will be going to visit Paris for a week and then 2 weeks after that trip, I will have another trip in Germany with the Lycee (High School). I'm getting excited because my language skills are starting to progress rapidly. Oh yea, one last thing this weekend is the 25th anniversary of the Rotary club of Neufchateau and there is going to be a huge banquet with people from Belgium, England, and Switzerland and I think other exchange students. ... Thanks again for making this experience possible.
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 4:39 AM	Subject: Life in France I have to tell you I couldn't have picked a better family or town everything has been more than wonderful so far except I have a little trouble communication. I look forward to writing you again soon till then.
February 2, 2000	WOW!! You can't imagine how fast this first month has gone by. I know it's only been four weeks, but I feel like it's already been a semester. School is going really well, I'm beginning to understand more and more French every week. February 12th is next weekend. I am really looking forward to this Saturday because there is a huge ski trip planned with the high school. Then, the following weekend school is out for a two-week holiday (no school, I'm not complaining). I can't get over how nice people are in France. I get "Hellos" and "How are yous" from people I don't even know. I haven't done much traveling yet, but I have all summer booked with plans of going to Germany, England, Spain, and Italy. It's just my luck that my family happes to have a flat in Cannes, which is basically right next to Nice, Monte Carlo, and Monaco. Also sports are huge in France, like handball, futball (soccer), martial arts, and, of course, Rugby. I've been asked if I would like Thai Boxing lessons (Oh, yes!!). So hopefully next month I will start Thai boxing. I've also taken some interest in Rugby, which is as common as football is back home. Every day is a new adventure here. I can't wait to see how things are a month from now. I'll keep you updated. :)
January 2000 At the airport	... . ..