1..

Today I got quite a lot done,
     

1. I caught up on sleep
2. Cleaned my room
3. Made triple sure everything was packed 
4. Fixed my pins 
5. Ate my last dinner at home for a year

That pretty much sums up my day but now I'm just waiting until 12 am which is in an hour to say 

"I leave tomorrow for exchange!"

Tomorrow I am seeing one of my friends for the last time and then tomorrow evening I'm going to Busch Gardens with my cousins and aunt until they close. So yay!

Here is a picture of my pins that I promised!

Until tomorrow! 

-Hailey

2...

I UNPACKED everything from my bag because it was 5 lbs over weight (crying on the inside). Instead of using space-bags like I was I just rolled up all my clothes and managed to fit everything in my carry-on and my checked bag and I also took out a lot of clothing :( . I haven't weighed it yet but I shall tomorrow!

Today I also went to Busch Gardens to turn in my uniform and get officially cleared out :,(

I Alsip made new pins! I will post a picture of them tomorrow! They are very cute!

I know I keep saying this but I can't believe it's almost time for me to leave!!

It's still amazes me how far I've gotten and how far I still have. I'm very excited to meet all the other inbounds and go to Karkku and meet my family and start school! Which starts on August 11th and thats super early for me. Considering that I'm used to starting school on the first Tuesday (Tiistai) of September which always follows Labor day.

3..

3 DAYS LEFT IN THE USA! Tomorrow will be 2 and I'm cringing just a bit!

Today I went and got the toiletries that I was missing just to finish it off. I still haven't weighed my suitcase and I'm afraid to because I don't want it to be overweight! I love everything I have packed and really really really don't want to take anything out!! Also today, I released how much I'm going to miss my dog! I love her oh so much and I don't know what to do without her :(

Anyways, I still have so much to do and not enough time. My departure date has came very quickly.

Until Tomorrow!

-Hailey

4...

4 days left in the US and this is what I did:

Sleep

Went to my last sponsor Rotary club meeting until next year

Finished Packing

Today's been a bit eventful. 4 days left and I'm going through sooo many emotions right now, it's crazy!

-Hailey

5..

Today I had my going away party! It's still unreal how soon I will be leaving! I made a video filled with pictures and such from today!

-Hailey

6...

Today is my last Saturday here at home and in the states! I finished packing a majority of my stuff! I've put my clothes in space bags and boy did it help.  Other than that I've been catching up on my online classes that I've been majorly slacking on. I'm a bit behind and I'm trying to get ahead so I won't fall behind again while I'm at language camp!

Tomorrow is my going away party, so it will be bitter sweet.

-Hailey

The Beginning of Lasts

So today was my last day at work... 

(mega sad face)

           For those of you who don't know I work at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Italy in a shop called "Artisans of Italy", which is the best shop if I have a say. I worked with wonderful team members and also two wonderful Italian Artisans, Nino and Toni. 

So shout out to Karen, Mrs. Jean, Marie, Becca, Alicia, Donna, Michelle, Evan, Catherine, Ray, Nino, Toni, and Tracy. 
One of my supervisors, Alicia made me these brownies it's so adorable, I love it! I'm so grateful to have worked with these amazing people.

Thank you guys for making my time in #ItalySquad amazing! I will be sure to visit when I return!

Here are pictures from tonight that we took <3 They describe us perfectly

(Alicia, I, Marie, and Evan)

 At my first job at Chuck E Cheese, I loved a few I worked with but most really made me dread having to work with them. At Busch I look forward to going to work and and am actually happy to go.

I learned a lot working in the shop. I've met wonderful people.

 This is just the first of my goodbye's and lasts. 

From now until I leave I will be writing a blog post documenting the last of days here in the USA. I want to thank everyone who has supported me and donated to help send me to Finland. This is an amazing opportunity that I am grateful to have.

"Travel while you're young and able. Don't worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money will ever be."

-Hailey

Email: hakoger1998@gmail.com

Facebook: Hailey Koger

Tumblr: haileyinfinland.tumblr.com

Instagram: Haileyko98

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Now is the time for those who are thinking about becoming exchange students to start put it in action (espically if you plan to go with Rotary). Don't keep simple things from keeping you from going. We are only young once and if we don't get out there and explore now, we might never.

If you have any questions please email me! I would love to answer any questions! So shoot me a message on Facebook, Tumblr, Email, Twitter, or Instagram. I would be more than happy to help.

12 Days Till Departure

          I can't believe in only 12 days I leave for Finland. This is crazy. Complete craziness. It still hasn't hit me that I'm actually leaving!!!!

           Earlier this month on the 6th I went to DC to go to the Finnish Embassy to process my residence permit. I got to walk down Embassy Row and see many of the embassies! I also saw the Islamic Center which was an amazing site.

         I received my flight itinerary on the 17th! So on August 1st at 12:46pm I will leave from the Norfolk airport to fly to the Atlanta airport where I have a 40 minute layover, I will then leave from Atlanta to go to Amsterdam, and then from Amsterdam to Helsinki!!! So I only have 11 days left here in my home, and it's a bit exciting. I still haven't packed but I probably won't get to that till next week (whoops).

          One day recently I read back from the beginning of my blog and it's quite unreal. I see how I have changed since I wrote my first blog post. I've grown a lot and it's a bit weird to see little me all excited about CBYX and really thinking I could get it. And now here I am a year in a half later; going on exchange to Finland.

          I made a video recently but wasn't able to edit it so I just wrote this in place of it. I will be taking lots of pictures and vlogging while at language camp! Also I started my online classes for here in the states, I'm taking US Gov, and English 12. I'm already majorly falling behind



-Hailey