191 days left =DD

Primeiro post =D

Bom, meu nome é Paula, tenho 15 anos, mas vou viajar com 16. Moro em Fortaleza há 10 anos, só que nasci em São Paulo. Sempre quis viajar e conhecer novos lugares, pessoas... e a idéia do intercâmbio já estava na minha cabeça há algum tempo. Mas nunca levei adiante, até que 3 amigas de uma amiga minha viajaram. Adoraaaava ouvir ela contando as novidades das amigas, e fazia um monte de perguntas.

A idéia foi amadurecendo. Umas tiveram uma experiência ótima, fizeram amigos e curtiram mesmo. Outras não se deram tão bem. Tenho uma idéia básica (ou pelo menos penso que tenho) de como posso fazer a viagem dar certo.

Fui para a agência (STB) e no final de 2007 já preenchia o Application. Os documentos já estão lá e posso ser escolhida, embora seja muito cedo. Meus pais sempre me apoiaram, e ambos dizem que se tivessem tido a oportunidade, teriam ido também (na realidade, eu queria só 6 meses, mas meus pais falaram pra eu ficar 1 ano. Depois de muito pensar, aceitei. Se não der certo, eu volto, ué).

Escolhi a região 3 mais pelos meus pais mesmo (medo dos psicopatas adolescentes que chegam atirando em todo mundo), foi o lugar que estatisticamente o povo mais se deu bem.

Veremos.

Já me prolonguei demais. Tá aí a carta, enooorme. Meio que tá implícito o tipo de família que eu quero pela carta que eu escrevi, espero que dê certo. E sobre a parte do "parent's talk", é porque eu traduzi a carta dos meus pais, se eles escreveram váriaaas coisas bregas. XD
Quem quiser usá-la de modelo, sem problema algum. =DD





Dear Family,

My name's Paula Cristina Meira Chinelato, I'm 15 years old. I live in Fortaleza, I came here when I was 5, but I was born in São Paulo. Only me, my sister and parents moved. The entire family is there. I miss them a lot, but I learned to handle it. I walk to school everyday, my classes start at 7:15 am and end at 12:30 pm. I study in a private school, and we all have to wear uniforms. It's really exausting because in the end of the last year, everybody has a test to do. It's something like SAT, but it's harder and that is what defines whether we are getting into University or not, which is kinda scarry. I'm a good student, though. I try to do well in everything, even though I have over 10 subjects. It's a lot to study.
I can play volleyball and a bit of handball. I’ve played for the school team a few years ago, but I left. Wanted to try new things, and I was in the Theater too, so… But I’ve always wanted to come back. I like sports. I live in a big city, the 5th biggest city in Brazil. But there's not a lot to do in here. Fortaleza is small if you compare to São Paulo. The weather is warm, but not so hot because of the wind. It's very pleasant, actually. But no winter here. Just sun the entire year.
I'm very close to my friends and family. They're all funny, and I feel comfortable to tell them everything, even though I know they will joke about it latter, but I don't care. My parents are really supportive, they want me to go too. They realized how important the experience is, and my friends are excited as well. I love them so much, they are my life. My sister’s 6 years old. We do well, or as well as two siblings can do. I couldn’t imagine myself without her. I have a great relationship with my parents. We joke together and tell each other everything. They trust me, and I would never betray their trust.
I have pets. Two female poodles. Mother and daughter, and I love them. I really like pets. Specially dogs. I feel shy among people I don't know, but just for a while. As I get to know people better, I can be very expansive. And I’m organized. Gotta love watching movies, listening to music, reading... I like a bit of everything. Love to watch series. I like to go out, but I don’t do it very often. There aren’t good concerts where I live, so I pretty much just go to mall or hang out with my friends.
I love to travel. Every year my parents take me and my sister to a new destination. In 2007, as a gift for my 15th birthday, I went to Disneyworld. No doubt it was the best trip ever, I had so much fun there. I’d absolutely love to know more places in U.S.A. When I came back, all of us went to Italy. It was great too, even though none of us spoke Italian… but we brought a book, a conversation one. And it helped. A lot. Religion? I’m not Catholic… I have my own belief and it’s independent of any religion. But I respect all sorts of beliefs and it would be ok to go to church once in a while, or help in the events and this sort of thing.
I am going as an exchange student because I wanna know different people and culture. Get out of the world I know and try different things, being independent. It's something really important to my future, a huge life experience. I expect to make friends and meet new people, which is what traveling as an exchange student is all about. Also bringing you a little of the Brazilian culture as well. I’m not spoiled, and I’m not afraid of fighting to make the 10 months as an exchange student the best of my life. Last, but not least, my parent’s letter. They are probably saying a lot of things about me, telling you how quiet and calm I am very easygoing and I undersant that I'm going to American in order to fit into your culture, not otherwise.They are just scared of the fact that I'm growing, it's like they still see me like their little girl sometimes. I trust you'll be able to tell what is true and what is "parent's talk".

Sincerely,
Paula Chinelato

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PS: Não sei quem colocou no final da carta "Best wishes". Amei. Queria eu ter tido a idéia quando fiz a carta, não sabia como terminar =p