3 dias hasta MIAMI !

Over the past few weeks I have been piling clothes, suntan lotion, bug spray, shoes, gifts, and medications in a suitcase in anticipation of departure...I can't believe it's less than 72 hours away! I've been vacuum-packing all my clothes in bags and trying to make my suitcase less than 44 lbs (currently it's 42 lbs.!) which is hard. Before reaching my final destination all AFS kids going to Central American countries must fly to Miami so that's where I'm headed toward on Thursday. Gotta pack light for 2 flights, but I must say that I have enough suntan lotion to cover Costa Rica itself and I have plenty of gifts for my new family!
Speaking of family, I got some information about my family. Last week, I received a phone call saying that AFS had sent me some info about my Costa Rican family. So far I know that my parents are Roger and Estela and they have 4 kids, 2 dogs, and a cat. Sounds pretty close to our family, huh? They have 3 daughters and 1 son. The eldest daughter, Stacy, is 17 and expecting a baby in July around the time I arrive! Stacy is followed by her younger sisters Stefany (who's 15-years-old like me!) and Sonia, 12. Last but not least is the son, Roger, 12 (Jr.?), who's the yougest of the family. They live in a 5 bedroom, 2 bath house in the province of Alajuela which is in the city Quesada, Costa Rica. I also found out the family owns their own business selling dairy products...I'll get to milk some cows...?!
Right after I found out about my family I called them and attempted to talk to them in Spanish. For the first 5 minutes all they said was "Hello" and I realized that's all the English they knew!! I tried my best to tell them about things I like to do like swimming, singing, and eating. I also told them I didn't like to eat fish and that I like to talk..even if I couldn't understand what they were saying in response, haha! After about 30 minutes of trying to speak to Stefany in Spanish we were both laughing so hard! It just goes to show that there doesn't need to be words to have fun!
A few days later I still wasn't sure if they had even understood half the things that I had told them over the phone but I received a phone call. This call was from my host dad's sister who lives in California. She said that my family had understood most of what I was saying in Spanish which was a huge relief! I'm so glad that I have someone to call if I ever need any translating done between me and my new family!
This past Saturday, Flo, Proud, and I had a BIG going-away party at my house. We had all of our friends over and celebrated with red, white, and blue flags all over! Thank you to all those who came over to wish us bon voyage! Now we're all just counting the days that we have to spend with each other and cherishing these last moments. (: These last 3 days are going to be bittersweet.
The next blog you read may be in Miami or better yet...COSTA RICA!

Hey! Ho! Let's Go!

Wow! I apologize for updating my blog so late but I have been extremely busy these past couple of months. So let's rewind: Ever since March I have been practicing hard for the spring musical "How to Succeed n Business without really trying" which was performed on Mother's day weekend and was a huge success. Though we had crazy practices ever since february, some lasting from 3 till 9pm, all of our hard work finally paid off. In addition to crazy musical practices I have also been involved in: National Art Honors Society, Speech Team Awards, Theatre Awards, Spanish tutoring, fundraising, and a bunch of other things that have managed to escape my mind at this moment.

One of the major events that I have been consumed in is the garage sale that I recently put together along with help from my family. For three weeks we cleaned out the basement and organized it all. I'm proud to say that we earned a total of $257.90! Though it may not be alot it was just enough to go toward getting clothes and a heavy duty rain coat for Costa Rica. In addition to getting clothes, I also attended a Pre-Departure Orientation for AFS. At the orientation I met so many students who were having the same feelings as me and it was nice to be with people who were all going through the same thing that you were. Although I didn't meet anyone who was going on the Costa Rican language program with me, I met 2 girls who were going to Costa Rica for the coming semester for the 2010-2011 school year. In addition, I met a girl who had just returned from Costa Rica so she could share her experience with us and it was awesome. I not only got a chance to meet peopel going to and from Costa Rica but also, students going to China, Thailand, Russia, Portugal, and many more. It's crazy to think that all of us are coming from one place but each of us is traveling to different places all around the globe. I can't wait!
Another event I have attended is a Costa Rica Country Call which is where I go on a multi-way phone conversation with many different people. This phone conversation involved several of the people I am going to Costa Rica with this summer but also a girl who had just gotten back from Costa Rica. It was nice to get to know some of the people and to get a chance to ask some of those last minute questions before I leave. Some of the people I talked to asked funny questions like "Are they (Costa Ricans) as fat as Americans?" and that got all of us laughing. I have a good feeling that I will make great friends on this trip! Which reminds me, I learned that I will be leaving for Costa Rica on June 24th (the day before my mom's birthday...happy birthday mom?) and returning August 10th. I have been prepping like crazy and can't wait to take off!
Recently, I had a package arrive on my doorstep and found it to be from Mr. Graupner who was so kind as to give me a camera that I can use on my trip!! So I would like to give a shout-out and say thank you so much for giving me a camera so that I can keep memories forever! I am so excited to meet new people and new culture. However, at this moment I'm really focusing on finishing up school because I have final exams monday and tuesday and then I'm off to the Leadership Seminar! After I get back from that I have 10 days to spend with my friends and prep before I leave. I can't believe that this is all happening so quickly...here we go!

Halfway There!

Here's the latest news:
I've got good news and i've got bad news so, let me start off with a positive. First of all I got accepted into Costa Rica within 24 hours of sending in my application (that means that they like me!) which ensured my trip! This all seems so unreal but I'm so grateful for the opportunities that people are giving me through donating into my account. Thanks to all of you who believe in me and who are starting me off on my adventure. I've been sending out individual thank-you notes like crazy, but I wish I could thank each one of you in person! There are about 3 months till I leave and already I'm getting excited. Tonight I'm attending a "Welcome to AFS Meet and Greet" to meet one of the heads of AFS from Malaysia and this is also a party for Host Family Appreciation Month.
Which reminds me, I forgot to tell you all about Florence (our foreign exchange student). When Flo arrived I was so excited to meet her. At first I thought she was quiet, but that's just because she was just getting used to the language change. Well, she's been here for about 2 and a half months now and I can't believe how awesome she is at English! She's so funny and she's a really good friend. On top of being just a good friend, she's also me sister. I never understood what my mom meant when she said that your foreign exchange student becomes part of your family, but now I do. Flo has become my sister almost as much as my other sisters. We do everything together, we have the same classes, we're both involved in the school musical and we even sleep in the same bed even though she has her own room (ha!). I truly hope that when I journey to Costa Rica, I encounter people whom I will gain the same type of bond that Flo and I have.
I know this experience will open my eyes to new ideas and new cultures and I'm ready for the challenge. This trip will encourage me to be a leader and it's all thanks to you! A few weeks ago I was selected to attend the Illinois Youth Leadership Seminar. This is such an incredible honor because there's only 1 tenth grader from each school who is selected! I hope to learn a few things there about being a leader not only in my school and state, but in my country. I hope to be a positive representation of America to those I meet on my trip, and just know that you were the people who made it all possible.
While I'm extremely grateful for those who donated, I have some bad news. I have been blessed with an incredible amount of money, however, I am about $1,500 short of my goal and am in need of serious financial help quickly. AFS had sent my bill late because of an issue at their headquarters, so I was not aware that I needed ALL my deposit money by April 1st!!! I know that I have been asking for money alot lately and I apologize but if I could just get 150 to donate $10 each or 15 people to donate $100 each that would be amazing. If you're not able to donate money yourself please ask ANYONE YOU CAN THINK OF. Whether it be co-workers, family, moms, dads, etc. I'm sure that with God's help this goal is possible! Don't feel obliged to donate if it is not financially possible because I would appreciate prayers as much as I appreciate donations!

Once again thank you for all you have done for me. I hope open the doors to my future through this experience you've aided me with and I hope to use this experience to do God's will for me.

Thank you all,
Malia Dunn-Reier

On to the next step!

Well, I've had my personal interview for Costa Rica, my papework is submitted, and my $900 deposit is made (Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Dunn!). My dream is on the way to becoming a reality! Now I wait -- and try to raise funds. My goal is $3,500. I really need your help. I'm hoping that I can find 350 people willing to just donate $10. I believe that with God's help, this is a reasonable goal. If you're reading this and making a donation, I can't thank you enough! Donation or not, prayers are always welcome, please! This is a huge undertaking! If you're interested in donating, all you have to do is click on the ChipIn widget below, and you'll make a direct donation to my AFS account. The total cost of the program is $7,250. I have to have half of that money in my Mar. 1, and the other half by Apr. 1.

My excitement has only increased with the arrival of Flo, our exchange student from Quebec! I also had a chance last weekend to attend a potluck where many AFS students performed in a talent show. It was so much fun! I thought I was going to have to play the piano, too, but I didn't. I did meet two other girls from Batavia who are going to Costa Rica for a semester starting in August. I'll be back before they leave. Hopefully I'll be able to share some tips with them! I haven't met anybody yet from this area going to Costa Rica, but I'm sure I will.

By the way, do you know that I'm the third generation in my family to be involved in AFS? My grandparents hosted Christina Hartman-Hilter Fliedner from Germany in 1974-75. They became area representatives for 8 years, and they hosted over 300 students in their home for anywhere from one day to one year. These relationships have lasted over the years! My mom was an American Abroad through AFS to Finland for 13 weeks in 1976. Now, here we are, and I'm a host sister and applying to go abroad myself. The relationships you make through AFS change lives. I hope I have the chance to touch lives as I represent my family and country this coming summer.

I'll keep you posted as I move forward in this process. Thanks so much for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, and if you can donate, I appreciate your sacrifice on my behalf. God bless you!

Malia

If you believe in the power of youth, would you please consider donating?

(This is me on the left with my younger sister Breezy after her dance recital.)


Hi everyone -- My name is Malia Dunn-Reier, as most of you know. I appreciate your taking the time to consider investing in the future by making a donation to help me study abroad this coming summer through AFS. I need to raise $3,500 of my own money to make this happen. I believe I can do this if I can get at least 350 people willing to donate a minimum of $10 each by March 1. Will you please help me?

My goal is to use this experience to help shape me as a person so that I can make a difference in the world as I go through my life. I believe that nothing helps promote global understanding more than living in another culture and walking in the shoes of others. We are so blessed to live in this country, but going abroad will help me appreciate the contribution other cultures have made to this tossed salad known as "America," in which each element retains its own uniqueness contributing to the overall wonderful flavor. Imagine how boring a salad would be with only lettuce! Moreover, in a shrinking world, I believe we cannot isolate ourselves. The Internet alone has opened up the world to instant communication and sharing. I want to fully be a part of this world. I believe in the power of youth to change this world, and I want to be one of those who does exactly that.

AFS has played a huge role in my family's lives. My grandparents, Mel and Jude Dunn, were AFS area representatives for 8 years. They hosted 300+ students in their home ranging from one night to one year. My family still has contact with the three special students -- Christina, Lars, and Christian -- who shared their home for the year. My mom felt the pull of learning what it means to be a global citizen by being an American Abroad to Finland during the summer of 1976. As a matter of fact, she has always said that they adopted me from China because AFS taught her that "family" is not defined by "blood," but rather by "love." In the past we hosted Sylvie from Italy for a semester, and we are about to host Florence from Quebec for the coming semester. It is this influence that has encouraged me to apply to spend Summer 2010 abroad.

I am hoping to spend seven weeks of this summer living in a family setting learning the language and doing community service. At this point I'm not sure in which program I will be placed, but my choices are Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama. I believe that the language study alone will be a huge benefit when I come back to my home here, as I continue to do community service through my church in the Spanish speaking community. With the changes occurring demographically in America, I think that knowing Spanish will be vital throughout my life. Also, I know that I have led a pretty sheltered life not just in my family, but in Yorkville, and it's time to learn about how others live and to grow as an individual. Where I will take this knowledge in the future is still a little uncertain, but I know I will come back a different person. I take this responsibility seriously, too, as I know that when I go abroad, I represent not just myself, not even just my family, but all of you who have made me who I am, and in greater sense, all of America. I may be the only American some people will ever meet! That's a huge responsibility!

I would hope that after reading this you would consider making a direct contribution to my AFS account (see instructions below). The biggest problem is that I am too young at 14 to be able to get a regular job, so I need to earn this trip through sponsorship. However, I am also willing to earn your contribution! I am available for babysiting, dog sitting, snow shoveling, cleaning, gardening, or anything else along these lines. Please feel free to contact me by email (princess95hc@gmail.com) if I can help you. Payment for these services can be made directly to my AFS account then (credit cards accepted!).

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and whether or not you are able to make a donation right now, please keep this endeavor and me in your prayers as I move forward! God bless you,

Malia

To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the "ChipIn" button.