| A Letter From A Former Exchange Student |
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A Letter From CiCi Diniz - Former Exchange Student from BrazilDear Rotarians, Almost 10 years ago, in my speech for the District Conference in Ashland, I told the audience the story of a girl who was dazzled by a new world called USA. Automatic toilet flushes, the wonderful realm of Dairy Queen, snow, cinnamon rolls, cheerleaders (to me, they were like dinosaurs: only existed in movies) and many other new and fantastic things... The tale of the girl had a sad ending: she had to leave and return to her home country, Soccerland, leaving behind part of her heart and taking in her luggage only memories and thousands of random papers that varied from US History homework to hockey tickets to see the Winter Hawks (I still have both, in fact).  The girl grew up (1 inch, to be exact), went to Journalism school, became an English teacher, lived in France for some time, is presenting a radio program, is a manager of the building where she lives in. 'Enfin': she became an adult... However, all these years, I never stopped thinking about Oregon and what that experience meant to me. To be quite cheesy, I left Philomath but Philomath never left me. I'd never think I'd miss rain so much! Many of you don't know me. I hope that those who do have great memories and thoughts of me and can tell the others I was the most fun, lively, gorgeous and modest exchange student Philomath has ever had! Believe it or not, guys, I still have the Philomath/Corvallis Rotary Book - I told you I brought a lot of papers along with me!  Whenever you need some sunshine in your lives, you are more than welcome to visit me here in Brazil. I am not part of any Rotary Club but I've learned my lesson when I was there: you have to make the world small, after all. :) Beijos, Cinara 'Cici' Diniz |
