Dürnstein Ruins!

Dürnstein Ruins!
Where King Richard the Lionheart was held captive during the Crusades!

Some music to enjoy as you read!


Quedlinburg, Germany!

Quedlinburg, Germany!
Sehr Schön or very beautiful!

About ME!

My photo
Hello and Welcome! I am the West Virginia IFYE this year and I am honored to be representing my state. For those of you that do not know me, I have just recently graduated from WVU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology (Laboratory work!). I decided to apply to be the IFYE this year because I love to travel and meet new people, as well as give something back to the extraordinary 4-H program that I have been in my whole life. I am 23 years old and believe that this will be a life-changing experience! I am planning on posting blogs every week or so and hope to have pictures as well. So, I will to keep you up to date with my activities! I am new to this "blogging business," but it's worth a shot...here goes nothing!

My Timeline!

  • June 23rd-29th-Arrive in Germany and get oriented with the German IFYE Coordinators-Edith Schröder & Bettina Heinemann.
  • June 29th-July 19th-Familie Röhr 1st host family in Reinfeld, Germany
  • July 19th-August 11-Familie Bär-2nd host family in Hofheim, Germany
  • Aug. 11-Sept. 3rd-Familie Saudhof-3rd host family in Nelben, Germany
  • September 3rd-Flight to Cambridge, England to visit my mom's college friend as well as my friend to!!!
  • September 12th-Train trip to Willington, Derby to visit my grandmother!
  • September 19th-Flight to Austria!
  • December 8th-Flight back to the U.S.A!!!!! :)

Monday, March 2, 2009

IFYE TOUR 2009!

Hello Everyone,
I apologize for not writing more frequently since I have been back in the U.S.A. However, in future I hope to report as often as I can on the status of my tour and interesting events/adventures that I take or that find me. So, I began my tour through WV 3 weeks ago (Feb. 16th officially) and have been quite busy. I began with YAC (Youth Adult Conference) at the end of January for my opening presentation, which went really well and my audience seemed to be quite entertained and enlightened. At least I thought so ;)

Then, as I stated, I began my tour on the 16th and have visited Braxton, Webster and Barbour Counties as well as given presentations to 4-H University and Teen Leader Weekend at Jackson's Mill. All of which have been great and I have received good feedback. So, I guess you could say that I have become completely immersed in presentation giving encompassing all aspects; the set up of all my computer 'gadgets,' microphones, clickers, speakers and of course the infamous projector. Therefore, all has, up to this point, been running very smoothly without any major setbacks. I have become well adjusted to my current life of travel as well as a rental car, which has been fabulous with the dubious weather and 'winding roads' of West Virginia. I have had the opportunity to meet many, many new friends and contacts throughout WV as well as to live (for a night or two) with different host families; which, you might think, I am a master of from my experience abroad. Well that is partly true, however the drastic change in my favor is of course the fluent English speaking ability of those around me.

I am scheduled to go to Wood, Tyler and Kanawha (Girl Scout Troop) Counties this upcoming week and the following weeks will be concentrated toward Southern WV. Then, in April, I will be in Monongalia, Marion, Harrison as well as Ohio and Marshall and then when May approaches I will be nearing home with Preston, Grant, Hampshire, Mineral and Pendleton Counties. I hope to attach more specific dates in the near future. However, a news release has been created and should be in your local papers with my presentation schedule and details. I look forward to meeting, presenting and discussing my trip with those of you who have kept up with me and my blog as well as to initiate new interest through my tour. I would like to thank my readers, I have now had lots of feedback in relation to my blog from those that I have met during my presentation schedule and casual encounters and am very grateful to know that I have a larger fan base than my mother (even though she is an essential fan, it is nice to know that I have other supporters ;) More to come from your WV IFYE!