First Day of: Civics a Education Week

Above the ground, in the sky, and besides the sun. This is how my morning started, very early and active, filled with many expectations for this week as Washington D.C. was preparing a unique adventure for me.  Sleeping for three hours and waking up at 3 am was not the greatest thing in the world. Yet as I walked in the airport all by myself for the first time ever I realized that every kid grows as I had my father's annual airport instructions playing in my head.  Walking into an achieved dream made me realize once more that the power of dreaming and believing in ourselves is indescribable. 

My program manager Michelle Blackburn mentioned in my arrival orientation that there will be a workshop held in Washington D.C. for 100 YES students that shall last for one whole week. Ever since she said that I was determined to attend this workshop, and do my best during the selection process. A goal was set ahead of me, and I saw my dreams and hopes flying with me in the sky this morning as the sun was rising between the winter's gloomy clouds. I saw the future that I've dreamt of turning into a present that I was living with a great smile on my face.  I wrote an essay that kept me up for one whole night to make sure that every paragraph of it was excellent enough, I wanted the essay that would get me to this orientation to resemble my personality. And today, as I flew in the sky and read every word of it, I new that I am truly proud of it, that is why I reached this stage of the program; to be selected as one of the best of the best in the whole world. 

I arrived to Atlanta's airport for my second flight, and I remembered those words "Make sure that you have your passport. Find your gate as soon as you step a foot in the airport. Go to the bathroom so you wouldn't disturb yourself or people on the plane by walking to that tiny toilet. And then enjoy your trip kids".  My dad was there on my shoulder guiding me through the airport just the way he taught me and my siblings the joy of traveling and discovering the world. It was my turn to do that all by myself, to show him that his middle kid is far away from him depending on herself, and that the way he raised her would be reflected on everything she does during this week. As a teenager exchange student, I feel like my gratitude and appreciation to my parents have been increasing tremendously as I experience new things without them, because right there I realize that they raised me well. 

I am now in Washington D.C., following my parents' footsteps in representing our country as I also represent my host state along side with it.  Today has been a very long day, my legs are hurting, and my head is aching. But I can't complain about this, because feeling tired means that I am really in the process of accomplishing another thing. I got accepted to the University of Newcastle and the University of London this month. I've maintained good grades in two AP classes and one Honors class. I spoke before my host city's School Board. I'm making myself proud because of the different dreams that are turning into reality. My trip to DC will be one of the highlights of my year, because I will learn from each workshop and person I meet.  This is my week, the week that can make me say "I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive. I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise, to fly".  I wouldn't have reached this stage of the program without those who "raise me up so I stand on mountains, to walk on stormy seas, I am strong when I am on their shoulders"; the four of my parents.