To EVERY SINGLE ONE of you,

 today has been a very special day for me. I had to say Good-Bye to some of the GREATEST people I have ever known, to some of the BEST friends I have ever had and to THE BEST group I have ever been involved in. However, I do not regret it!

A couple of weeks ago, my first host mum Rita Oates sent me THE BEST quote describing this feeling. Read it carefully, think about it wisely and keep it in mind continually:

>>>> Do not cry because it is over; smile because it happened. <<<<

I think this is so true for all of us.

Speaking for myself, this year has been the greatest year of my life. (Maybe because I do not remember my first two or three years, who knows?). I have gone through absolutely awesome good times but also through absolutely horrible bad times. Looking back, I do not want to miss any single one of them, neither the good ones nor the bad ones. (Ignoring the fact that I could not have changed it anyway). When my neighbor asked me the other day which experiences had been the best for me, I automatically answered: The bad ones. The bad experiences made me think, realize, learn, change and grow. Only going through the bad times I could appreciate the good times. There is no doubt about it.(I must admit there is not one indeed).

Speaking for myself, this year has also been the strangest year of my life. I never felt so many contradictory emotions all at once; happiness, sadness, homesickness for my home country as well as for my host country, excitment, fear and many more. I had to come to the Untited States of America to meet someone living thirty minutes away from my hometown. (Even though, I haven't made up my mind yet whether that is a good thing or a bad thing); I felt soon very close to people I, timewise, barely knew (BECAUSE I did NOT know them YET); and I was part of a family that was my family, but at the same time, was not. (Suddenly, I had to buy gifts for two dads, and two mums, and more siblings. And then even for three... How terrific!) . I felt closer to my family then ever before, even though, the distance between us was a couple of thousand miles. I love and appreciate them so much. (My Mum would say now: I hope you rememebr that when you get back here!-Well, probably not). Everything seemed to be strange at times, including myself.

Speaking for myself (again ?!!?), this year has made me realize and taught me more than any other year of my life before. (And that were after all 16 years). I am not sure yet how much it taught me, how important it was, and how it will influence my future, but it will in a very unique way. That I can say.

You guys from Rotary have been great, not only Doug, Roy and Bob (you guys will not get ALL the credit), but also Bruce, Todd and all you other Rotariens that made all the trips happening. I know you guys know how great those trips are and how much fun they are for exchange students.(Not to forget for yourselves). However, I am not quite sure if you fully understand HOW much they mean to us. Those trips were more than a short break of school. They were bonding experiences.(Some bonded more than others, lol...). We were such a great group because you guys were such a great district. I think it worked out pretty well together, what do you think? And if the reunion with all the exchange students from the past years does not work out, we may get together as the group of 2001/2002 again.

I love you people from the bottom of my heart and I feel honored having met EVERY SINGLE ONE of you (how corny that may sound! Right Doug? I can see you rolling your eyes! Gonna miss that),

Smiles and best wishes, Barbel

PS: All that for a simple quote like:>Do not cry because it is over, smile because it happened