Week 39: Graduation

Hey out there,
this week was really amazing, stressful and emotional!
On Monday I had to take 2 finals and one of my teachers gave me a really cute gift to take home. After school my host mom took me to Carthage so that I could get my nails done for Graduation on Sunday. I also worked on thank you notes for my teachers since they really impacted me throughout the year and helped me a lot.
Tuesday I went to the workout after school. My last one. It was so sad but I really enjoyed being part of the Winter and Spring Off-season this year!! Afterwards I went home and got ready for going camping. We had the Senior Campout where the Seniors (that want to) camp in front of the school and it was soo much fun!! We played games together and chalked the entrance of the High School. In the morning I went and got Donut's with some of the other Seniors and then a friend dropped me off at home. I took a quick nap since I didn't sleep all night and then I had to get ready for school. My last official school day. I had to take my last final today and turn another one in. I had to "sign out" from school and I took pictures with every class to have a memory. During homeroom we had a Senior Assembly in the library where they got cake for us. It was so emotional so I started crying.. I went to Youth at night and this time we helped a person with cleaning out their basement because it got flooded.
On Thursday we had our first Senior activity day. We started off with signing everyone's stole for Graduation and afterwards we put our handprint and signature on the Senior Wall. It looks amazing! I also got to sign the Weight Room sign and the wall in the locker room since I did weights and Track. I went to brunch with friends of mine and a few people I never talked to before and I was starting to think about how things would have been different if I would have got to know them earlier. I went to lunch with my host parents and afterwards to Walmart with my host mom since I needed make up for Graduation.
Friday was our second Senior day and we started off with having an Awards Ceremony for scholarships and outstanding achievements. I got a Certificate for Outstanding Achievement in Marketing which made me super happy. After that we put on our cap and gowns, took a class picture and got to walk through the Middle/ Elementary school. Then we all changed and went to the park to take the traditional Park picture of the Senior Class. After that was done I went to lunch with two really good friends of mine. We had to be back at the High School by 1:15pm because we had Graduation practice. I lettered in Show Choir so I got to pick up my letter and pins and then I went home. In the evening I went to a Graduation party of a friend of mine and I was glad when I finally got home at night.
Saturday we stayed home all day, relaxed and got ready for Graduation the next day.
Sunday morning we went to church and afterwards I went to a Grad-party. I went home to put my make up on and to change and then I went to the hair stylist because I wanted to get my hair curled for Graduation. I got to the school by 3 because Baccalaureate started at 3:30pm. It is kind if a worship lead by selected people of the Senior Class and you don't have to attend if you don't want to since it is religious. They all did a really good job! The wind was blowing really bad so my hair got kind of destroyed but I tried not to care so much. After it was over we went to the Dome Gym, put our Cap and Gowns on and lined up. We started walking over the Track a little after 5pm when it was supposed to start. We pledged the allegiance, prayed and then the ceremony started. I got to sing a song with choir and then we had the speech of the Valedictorian (class best) and another solo and the Alma Mater (school anthem). Then they started to call every single person individually up onto the stage and we received our (empty) diploma case and a flower. After that was over we all moved our tassels together and then walked out on the field to throw our caps! They played our class song and then everybody took pictures with each other and congratulated each other. After that my host family and I took pictures at a wall in Lamar and then I went to two different Graduation parties of my friends. I went home and got ready because I had to be at the school by 10:30pm for Project Graduation. This is something that some schools do for all the Seniors the night of Graduation to prevent them from doing something stupid like drinking. Everybody has to turn in their keys and if you stay the whole time (until 5:30am) you are eligible for prices. So we started off with a Scavenger Hunt through Lamar (it was so much fun!) and afterwards we had big bubble balls, that you can put on and knock other people over with. I also learnt how to play poker. At 3am we all went outside and watched "Why Him" on a blow up screen. Then we all went back inside for the drawing of the prices. Everybody got to put their tickets in a bucket during the evening and so now they distributed the prices. Everybody got at least on thing and I got a $50 Visa giftcard. They had cash left over so everybody went back into the pot and I got drawn again and got $5 in cash. They also gave everyone a "Class of 2017" shirt that I really like!
It was a really busy, but fantastic, week and I got to make so many new memories. Yes it is sad that my American High School experience is over now, but I am so happy that I could even experience it!❤

Love,
Isabel

Week 38: Spring Concert

Hello my friends,
This Monday I had my final presentation from our Easter Project in Marketing. It went pretty good because we tied for 3rd place which is awesome. In the evening I went to a Graduation Party of friends of mine and it was so cool to see their pictures from their younger years.
In Weights we had Max-out week again and on Tuesday I maxed out on benchpress, on Wednesday in Powerclean and on Thursday in Squat. I improved on every single one so I am really happy to notice a progress in my strength.
Tuesday our workout go cancelled so I got to go home after school and Wednesday I didn't go to Youth either because we were on a tornado watch again.
On Thursday we took our Spanish Final and we had a workout which was really hard but so good and effective.
Friday we had a Marketing fundraiser going on so I helped with that and after school we took Track team pictures for the yearbook. In the evening we had our Spring Concert with choir and it went ok but not super good.
Saturday my host mom, host sister and my host grandma went to the farmers market in Webb City and then we went to Michael's to buy the stuff that I need to decorate my cap for Graduation and for gifts. I worked on both of those all night Saturday and Sunday after we got home from church and between studying for finals. In the evening I went to one of the exchange students goodbye party and it was really emotional for me.

Bye,
Isabel

Week 37: Last Track Meet

Hello guys,
This Monday I went on a Field Trip with my old Anatomy and Physiology class. We went to the cadaver lab at MSSU and it was really interesting. After that we went to the mall and ate lunch and had time to shop. We got back before 7th hour so we had to go back to class. After practice I got ready for the Academic Banquet. First we had dinner and then everybody that had a 3.5 GPA or higher got called out and got something, depending on the grade you are in. I have a 4.0 GPA (the best you can get) so I got a letter and a pin to put on my letterman jacket.
On Tuesday I went to another running workout and we did 4 sets of auburns.. I was dying.
On Wednesday I went to Youth and this time we had a big Youth gathering at First Christian church and it was really amazing!
On Thursday I we left for the Track meet in Monett at 1:30. I got to throw shot put and PR-ed in discus and placed 5th. We walked to Sonic for dinner and I got convinced to run in the 4×400m relay. We got 2nd place and it was so much fun. My only medal this year. And with this meet my one and only Track and Field season was over..:/
On Saturday morning I volunteered at my host dads work and it was raining so bad that everything started to flood.
On Sunday morning we went up to Kansas City. First we went to Ikea and then to a mall. Afterwards we went to Costco and we ate dinner downtown at P. F. Chang's.

That's it for this week,
Isi

Week 36: PROM

Hello out there,
This Monday I went to another Track meet in Nixa and I got to throw discus. I got a new PR and we got home really late.
On Tuesday me and Tara, the other German, did presentations in Coach Hall's classes 2nd through 7th hour. It was a lot of fun and I went to the workout again after homeroom. We had our running day and we did a "jump over hurdles-> push/pull sled-> sprint"-drill. We also flipped tyres and got out early since we had to help with the Middle School Track meet, where I measured discus for boys and girls.
On Wednesday we had Senior Service day so in the morning two friends of mine and me worked at the florist. Then we went for lunch to the park with our whole class. I had to go to practice at 3pm and afterwards I went to the Football ring ceremony where the football players finally got their state rings. After that I went to Youth and it was awesome.
On Thursday I helped at the High School Track meet since I wasn't able to compete (since it was only Varsity).
On Friday I skipped Track practice in order to get my nails done. So my host dad took me and the other German to Carthage and we had to wait for 4 hours until we could finally get our nails done. My host mom took us home so we grabbed some ice cream on the way.
On Saturday was Prom. I got my hair and make up done and went to Promenade. This is where you (and your date, I didn't have one) walk out and everybody can take pictures. I took a lot of pics with my friends and then I got one taken by a photographer. I went to a friends house and we took pictures together. After that we went to Red Onion in Joplin and ate dinner. Our Prom was in Pittsburg-Kansas so we had to drive another 40 minutes and got there at 8:30pm. I danced with my friends and just had a good time. My group and I already left at 10pm (Prom was until 11) and we went bowling. I got home at 1:30pm and I really enjoyed my first and last PROM.
On Sunday my host parents and I went to church and afterwards we went to Instant Karma, in Joplin, for lunch. I had a Donut-Burger and it was soo good. After that they dropped me off at the Webb City fire department and I got to spend 5 hours there. The guy that invited me is a family friend and so he showed me everything and I got to go on 3 emergency calls. It was really fun! Thank you!
This week I have so many people to say thank you to! So thank you to everybody who made this week and especially Prom 2017 so wonderful.

Isabel ♡

Week 35: Show Choir Dinner

Hey guys,
This week on Tuesday I went to a Track meet in Pierce City. I got to throw shotput and got a new PR (personal record).
On Wednesday night I went to Youth Group again and on Thursday after school I went to the workout again. It was a Weight room day and my arms were really sore afterwards.
On Friday we had no school since it was Good Friday, so all of the exchange students and our Local Coordinators went bowling together. It was our final activity and so we also ate lunch together. In the evening my host mom and I went to the school to help setting up for the Choir dinner the next day. We decorated the whole commence and when we got home at 9pm I had to do my Senior poster since it was our Choir "Senior Night".
On Saturday morning I went and volunteered at the florist and when I got home I got ready for the dinner. First we served the people dinner and then we had solos. I sang a solo and a duet with the other German Tara. It went pretty good! Then Choir and finally Show Choir performed and it wasn't too bad. I helped cleaning up and by the time we got home I felt asleep immediately.
Sunday we went to church and afterwards to Joplin for dinner.

Love,
Isabel

Week 34: Women of Joy

Hello out there,
This week was pretty good! On Monday one of my best and closest friends here got me a German Bible. I am so thankful!
On Tuesday we had the workout again and it was our lifting day this time. I had a lot to study this day since we had a big government test with an essay the next two days. In the end I did get a perfect on it so it was worth it.
On Wednesday I went to Youth Group again and we had a really good final message about God's Grace.
On Thursday we had the workout again and this time our running part of the week. After that I went throwing for nearly 2 hours and I actually really got some (for me) good throws in.
On Friday my host mom, her mom and my host sister and I went to Springfield and did some shopping and in the evening the "Women of Joy" conference in Branson started. There were over 4000 women and it was amazing! We had a speaker and worshiped together.
On Saturday we had to be there at 7:30am and we had more speakers and comedians and worshiped. For lunch we had Mexican with a big group of lady's we went with. Then we went shopping in the outlet mall in Branson. In the evening we had a "Laura Story" concert on the program and I loved it. After that we went to a 50s dinner and got some really good ice cream.
Sunday morning we had breakfast at Bob Evans and then we had our last and final session of the conference with our last speaker. This conference was so amazing! I loved every single second of it and it changed me! I feel closer to God than before and I love it. In the afternoon we went to the outlet mall again and then made our way back to Lamar. When we got home we had to do laundry and I went to bed at 9:30 because I was exhausted from this breathtaking weekend!

Be blessed!
Isabel❤

Week 33: Silver Dollar City

Hello guys,
Monday I got back to reality and had to go to school. We had practice every day.
Tuesday after school I had the workout again and it was our running day. So we pushed sleds and did auburns and did mirror races. On Thursday we had another workout but this time it was our lifting day in the weight room and my arms were dead afterwards and we still had to throw but it started to rain really bad so we could go home early.
On Friday we got our Cap and Gowns and I went with my Track team to the Carthage Track meet; even though I didn't get to compete since it was only Varsity. But at the end we had a "Throwers-Relay" (4×100m) and I got to run. 😂 It was really fun and we got home even later than last time.
On Saturday I had to get up at 6am because we were leaving the church at 7am to go to Silver Dollar City. It is an amusement park and it took 1.5 hours to get there. We went there for Young Christians Weekend and I had a blast! We rode a lot of rollercoaster and walked around. We also went on a water ride and I got soaked but it got warmer after a while so my clothes dried. At 6pm there was a Christian concert and "Building 429" performed. They did an amazing job; I really enjoyed it. We had dinner at McDonalds and got back to Lamar around 11pm.
On Sunday we went to church and helped with the kids during second service. We went to a Mexican restaurant in Nevada and I loved the food there. For the rest of the day we cleaned and got ready for next week.

I love you guys,
Isabel

Week 32: Springbreak

Hey guys,
this week we had Springbreak. Monday through Wednesday I had to be at the school by 9am since we had Track practice. We got our uniforms and they are not too bad. I worked on homework in the afternoons and my host family and I painted and basically re-did my host sister's and my room. It looked good before but now it looks amazing like straight out of Pinterest.
On Thursday I had my first Track meet. I am on Junior-Varsity (JV) so I went to Stockton. I got to throw discus and shot put. I had a lot of fun and we got home really late around 10pm.
On Saturday my host mom, my host sister and I went to Springfield to get more stuff for our room and just to go shopping and get away for a day.

That's it,
Isabel

Week 31: Ariana Grande Concert

Hey guys,
This week was pretty crazy and amazing!
On Monday it was freezing cold outside but we still had Track practice and on Tuesday morning it was even snowing. I had to do a presentation in Photography on Tuesday but it went pretty good. In the evening we had "Meet the Players" at the High School for the upcoming Spring season and afterwards I went to Pizza Hut with the family of a friend of mine.
Before practice on Wednesday we had a quick meeting about everything important for Track season and it felt like a Fall day outside. In the evening I went to Youth Group again.
On Thursday we had Spring Weather and I had to do a presentation in Marketing.
On Friday I went to my first Baseball game because I went to the Tournament game at the Lamar Park during school for taking pictures for the Yearbook. It was really nice outside today so we all actually practiced in tank tops. In the evening my host mom, host sister and me went to the movies and watched "The Beauty and the Beast" and I can just say I loved this movie!!
Saturday morning I skyped with my family and then we took a girls night out and went up to Kansas City. We ate lunch/dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and got ready at the hotel afterwards. We went to the ARIANA GRANDE CONCERT in Kansas City and it was so amazing! Little Mix performed before her and so I got to hear two bands/artists I really like. Ariana's stage show was pretty impressive and I am proud to be able to call this my first concert ever. As we got back to the hotel we had cheesecake,that we bought before, and everybody who knows the cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory know what I am talking about: it is so good!
On Sunday morning we went to IKEA and in the afternoon we went to the Legends Outlet in Kansas City. It was super hot today so it made my day even better!
It was a wonderful weekend and I enjoyed every single second of it.
Thank you!!

Love you guys,
Isabel

Week 30: Last Show Choir Competition

Hello out there,
This week in Weights we had our "Max.- out" week. That means that we have to choose our maximum weight that we can do for 10 reps on Squats, Bench Press and Power Clean. It went pretty good actually since I am only lifting since about 2 month.
I also had Track practice every day after school and I keep working on my events.
On Wednesday I went to Youth Group again and Friday night my host family took me out to eat in Joplin at Applebee's.
On Saturday I had to get up pretty early because we left the High School at 7am to go to Webb City for our last Show Choir Competition. As we got there we got ready and then we had to go straight to the warm up and performed at 9:50am. We didn't really do good and the clinician basically agreed with that. We stayed for the rest of the day and we played cards, listened to music, ate and watched other groups performing. We watched the awards but since we didn't win anything again we left pretty soon after. Thus Show Choir season was so much fun with all of them but of course it's a bit sad that we didn't win anything besides "Best Shoes".

That's it from me,
Isabel

Week 29: First Track Practice🏃

Hello out there,
On Monday this week we had a Government test where we had to study a lot for. After school we had our first Track practice!! We did our warm up and then we started throwing. I am going to do (or at least try) shot put, discus and javelin. It was pretty rough since I never did anything besides shot put but I will work on improving.
Tuesday in Marketing we did presentations so we had to dress up and after school I had to go to the Spring Off-Season workout since throwers are supposed to do these Tuesdays and Thursdays. We pushed/pulled sleds, did Auburn's and flipped tires.
Wednesday we only had a short Track practice because most people left for the Sectional Basketball Game that was over an hour drive away. I went there with people from my Youth Group and school because the church where I go to Youth offered a bus there for free. So I went to the game and sadly they lost. It was pretty close but not enough. I am still super proud of all these guys because they did an amazing job this season! Go Lamar Tigers! But this also meant my last basketball game here and that thought really made me sad.
On Thursday after school I went to the workout again and it was super hard but they pushed me through it. At 6pm I had solo practice again.
Friday was already practice #5 and it went ok. In the evening FCA had a movie night at the school so I went to the first one (Priceless). It is a really good movie! I went home after the first one because I had to get up pretty early the next day.
Saturday I got up at 6am because I had to be at the school by 6:45am. We went to MSSU in Joplin for District Solo/Ensamble contest. We stayed there all day and I had my solo already pretty early at 9:52. I got a 2 on my performance, which I'm pretty happy about (1 is the highest, 5 the lowest).
Sunday went to church again and helped with kid's church again. My host mom got back this afternoon from her ASSE trip and I was super happy that she got back home safely.

That's it for this week,
Isabel♡

Week 28

Hey guys,
On Monday was Presidents Day so in morning we made our way back from St. Louis and stopped at some places so that we got back in the late afternoon.
Tuesday we had school again so I went to the workout after school. It went pretty good until I dropped a 25lbs plate on my knee but I still kept going. Luckily I didn't hurt it seriously so it only hurt for 3 days.
On Wednesday we had a Blood Drive again but I couldn't give blood since I'm from Germany. In the evening I went to Youth Group again and I really enjoy it more and more every single time.
On Thursday after school was our last Winter Off-Season workout and somehow it made me kind of sad to not work out with this group again. In the evening I had Solo practice for choir competition and after that we had Show Choir practice until 9.
Friday I stayed a bit longer after school with a friend of mine and I picked my Senior picture.
On Sunday we went to church and during second service we helped with Kid's church. Then we went to Webb City for lunch and got some shopping in Joplin done. When we got back home I just prepared everything for next week.

Hope you guys are doing great,
Isabel

Week 27: It's my Birthday💫

Hello out there,
on Monday during 5th hour my Marketing class and me made Cake Pops for the next day.
Tuesday was Valentine's Day so we sold our Cake Pops because we did it for fundraising for DECA. This day is really a big deal here and every couple got each other something, the bigger the better. I went to the workout after school again and when I got home I showered and got ready for going to the Senior Night of the Lamar Basketball boy's. It was pretty emotional and they won all their games!
On Wednesday evening I went to Youth Group again and I just love it!
On Thursday I went to the workout after school and in the evening I had Show Choir practice.
Friday was my birthday so I'm 17 now and some of my friends got me really cute gifts and I got a lot of (for me super emotional) messages from Germany. After school my host family took me to Joplin and I could pick where we eat dinner so we ate at Red Lobster and when I got home the had an amazing birthday cake for me that tasted so good!
They surprised me with a trip to St. Louis so on Saturday morning my host mom, my host sister and me went up in the morning and when we got there we went to a Contemporary Art Museum and afterwards to a sculpture park. We ate at the Old Spagetti Factory and I got a picture with the arch and then we went to Ikea. And after that to our condo.
On Sunday we went to the St. Louis Art museum and it is probably one of the best museums I've ever been to. Then we went to a few Mall's and we had dinner at Red Robins which I really liked. We wanted ice cream so we went to Ben & Jerry's. After that we went back to our condo and went to bed.

That's it for this week,
Isabel

Week 26

Hey guys,
this week I worked on catching up with all the tests and quizzes that I missed last week.
On Tuesday after school I went to the workout again and after that I got a ride home and watched a movie with my host mom.
On Wednesday I had to be at school early because we were going to a DECA District 10 competition at MSSU in Joplin. I competed with one of my best friends in Sports and Entertainment Marketing and we did pretty good but sadly we didn't place. In the evening I went to Youth Group at church for the first time and I enjoyed it a lot!
On Thursday I went to the workout again and in the evening we had Show Choir practice again.
On Saturday morning my host mom, host sister and me went to Neosho for looking for a Prom Dress but we didn't find anything and afterwards we went to the Joplin Downtown and took my Senior pictures. After that we went to the Mall and when we got home my host sister and me took more pictures.
On Sunday morning we went to church and for lunch we went to Chicken Mary's in Kansas. We also went to Walmart and tried to figure out the schedule for the next weeks.

That's it for this week,
Isabel ♡

Week 25: Washington D.C. & Homecoming

Hello guys,
this week was amazing! As I said on Sunday, I went to D.C., because they provided every CBYX student with a Civic Education Week this year. So on Monday we went to the Newseum and then had an Orientation walk around Capitol Hill and took a lot of pictures even though it started to snow in between. We also went to the botanical gardens and the Roosevelt Memorial. On Tuesday we visited  the State Department and after a conversation we did a diplomacy simulation on refugees. After that we went to the Smithsonian museum of African American Culture and History and had lunch there as well. Then we went to see the Jefferson, Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials and went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. Afterwards we went to the Verizon Center and watched the NBA game Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks. As we got home we had another workshop to prepare us for the next day. Wednesday was mainly our Capitol Hill Day where we had meetings with Senate and House members or their staff. In between I also went to the library and the capitol and it was so impressive! Then we went to the National Gallery of Art and got to see the White House. We went to a mall for dinner and had an hour for shopping. We went to the Air Force Memorial and when we got back to the hotel (in Arlington, Virginia) we went straight to bed. On Thursday morning we first had workshops and then went to the Smithsonian museum for American History. After that we went to the Ronald Reagan building and after eating lunch we had a interview or conversation with 3 people over current issues. Then we went back to the hotel and had final workshops and 1.5 hours of free time to get our stuff together for the next day. After that we had a final dinner and a disco which was amazing, I enjoyed it so much!❤ On Friday I had to get up at 3am. because the bus left at 4am. Our plane was supposed to leave at 8:45am but we got moved to a 6:45 one. Another girl which I got really close to was on this flight so we were able to change seats and sit together! In Dallas we had to wait for our flight but we were back in Joplin by 2pm. We grabbed something to eat and got back home by 5pm so I hurried to get ready for the Homecoming Basketball game against Cassville. We won the game! On Saturday we had a Show Choir competition and as I got back home at 6pm I got ready for Winter Formal/ Basketball Homecoming 2017. ❄ It was not as fun as Football Homecoming but it still was a good night! On Sunday I had to work on make up work and we watched the Super Bowl which the New England Patriots won against the Atlanta Falcons 34-28.

I wish you all a amazing next week!
Isabel

Week 24

Hey guys,
this week on Tuesday I went to the Off-Season workout after school again but before I got my finger taped because I hurt it during weights class.
On Wednesday evening we I went shopping with my hostmom and hostsister because I needed a warm jacket for the Washington D.C. trip and some other stuff.
On Thursday evening my hostfamily took me to Golden City and we watched the boy's and girl's Varsity from CHCS play against them.
Friday after school Tara and I did our German Club again and after that we had a tailgate for Show Choir at the Girl's Basketball game against Monett. This week we had a whole bunch of tests and quizzes but it all went pretty good.
On Saturday morning I went to Jasper with my hostdad and I volunteered at the Concession Stand for 7 hours which was a lot of fun. When I came home I finished packing my suitcase and went to sleep later than I wanted to.
On Sunday I had to get up really early because my flight left from Joplin at 6:05am. Tara and Victoria went with me (since we are all from the CBYX) and we first went to Dallas and then to Washington D.C. This day we didn't really do a lot since everybody of the 93 students had a different arrival time so we talked a lot and after dinner we had first welcome workshops. I met people from the Berlin week again and also others I knew so it was pretty awesome to meet them again after a long time.

That's it for this week,
Isabel

Week 23

Hey guys,
this week Monday we were still off from school because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So on Tuesday was the first day back and on Wednesday after school my hostdad took me to Liberal and I got a few volunteer hours in by working at the Concession Stand for their Basketball tournament.
On Thursday we went on a Field Trip with my Marketing Class and we got information about a company in Lockwood. After school I went to the Off-Season workout for the second time and I really enjoyed it even though it was hard. In the evening we had full dressed Show Choir practice.
On Saturday we had to leave Lamar High School at 6:30 in order to go to a Show Choir competition in Mt. Vernon. We performed at 10:05 am and then we stayed there and watched the others perform until the price ceremony at 10:30 pm. Sadly we didn't place but at least we had fun and a good day. Right after midnight we were finally back to Lamar.
On Sunday morning we went to see family in Arkansas and we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. After that we went to my host grandparents and played games. When we got back home we prepared everything for tomorrow and relaxed.

Love you guys,
Isabel