Nearly 2 weeks ago, we arrived in Washington State, America. We were there to visit my friend Tiara who had joined me at Bunbury Senior High School for the first half of this year. She had spoken with her high school and they said that I was able to join Tiara in classes for however long I wished.
Olivia and I with the "yellow" school bus.
A super sneaky photo at school.
This is only half of the Cafeteria area. (when it's empty)
Kelso High
On Day number one(Tuesday) I woke at 6am. It was way, way too early. Dad walked me to Tiaras and we went on our way to school. Kelso High school has no uniform so when I arrived I was quite excited to see so many cheerleaders and many other ‘stereotypes’. Tiara immediately introduced me to many of her friends and many people introduced themselves to me. The classes were as follows:
Drama- the joy of being alone on stage having to act out something to a full American class,
Spanish– which I knew absolutely none of, but I did find it amusing how the teacher used a microphone just because he liked it.
Language arts(English)- Learnt about alternate perspective and wrote a story.
Lunch– spent sitting in the Cafeteria socialising and buying lunch.
Biology– Did stuff about stuff which I don’t remember.
Health– had fun. Was a cruisy class and made more friends.
Math- Which I understood nothing. Tiara is obviously extremely smart ‘cause the class was the grade above hers then extended specialist…
Tiara, Kaitlyn and me
Maddy, Courtney and Kaitlyn
Tiara and I in the school bathrooms.
Zac and Kyle
In most classes I was nicknamed ‘Australia’. I often had kids asking me to say words like chihahua, banana, and Ryan Shekler. I never realised that when we ‘Aussies talk’, we often miss out letters in our words such as the ‘r’ in car. We kinda say caaa, and the Americans say every individual letter like c.a.rr.
After school on Tuesday and Wednesday Tiara had Drivers Education, even though she is only 15. So I stayed at her house and chilled with her sister Destinny, sat on facebook and cleaned Tiara’s bedroom
On Thursday, the school day was knows as a ‘short day’ where school started at 10.30am instead of 8am. Tiara, Kaitlyn(Friend of Tiaras), Kyle and a few others and I walked to a place called Dennys for Breakfast (I prefer the term ‘Dunnies). Tiara and I ordered pancakes and the hugest ones came out about 10 minutes later. Only eating four of the eight, and drinking two hot chocolates which the waitress kept refilling, we waddled to school.
Pancakes for brekky at Dennys
Most people knew me as ‘Australia’. The day played out much as the first. Being asked to say words, making new friends, etc. Then after school we went back to Tiara’s and went longboarding. Tiara was quite happy that I had a longboard, because it’s not a very popular sport in Washington because of the weather. We stayed out ‘till it was dark and then made our way in because freaky people slowly started around Kelso.
Friday was no school at all, so being Tiara and Kaitlin, we just slept in and then relaxed all morning. Then in the afternoon, Tiara took me to Burger King for the first time. It was quite nice just to relax and socialise. After we ate we walked to Kelso High school as they had a ‘Football’ game – which to me, looked just like rugby with all the padding and stuff. All the Kelso High students stood in the grandstand and socialised while the cheerleaders cheered and the players played.
Burger King
Burger King for the first time.
Kelso High Footy Game Cheerleaders
Kelso High sign advertising the Football match
After the game, we started talking to some girls who made it quite obvious that I was Australian. Before long I had a large group of guys who wanted me to speak and talk. Then before I knew it I was surrounded with guys taking photos of/with me and giving me hugs, quoting each other “I’m actually hugging an Australian, omg omg omg.” Then as we left more people came up. So finally we were on our way home. I stayed one last night, then, in the morning Amy, Tiara and Destinny had to go visit Tiaras brother and we had to leave Washington, on our way through Oregon to California.
Tiara and I at the Football game
The Waldron and Howitt family
The Waldron’s were very friendly and loving towards me and I appreciate so much them taking me into their home and giving me some incredible experiences, such as socialising in a cafeteria, going to an American school, meeting heaps of wonderful people, observing a real ‘football’ match and having a taste of the American Life. They were always so nice and a great energy to be around and I consider them my American family 😀
I am extremely keen to return to Kelso and Kelso High in a couple of years and visit many of my new lifelong friends, especially Tiara.
The End
Hi Kaitlin,
Very amusing read Miss AUSTRLIA – very exciting being centre of attention and experiencing American Life !!!
Love Aunty Carmel
Yes haha I loved it so much! 🙂 I really hope I can go back and do it again soon
Hahahah Sounds like you really nailed that Biology class K!!!
Heya Kaitlin,
Great story, and a great adventure. It sounds like you had a ball.
Love Uncle Scott
Lindsay, yes I know right! Haha not sure if it was my thing, biology 🙂
Uncle Scott, it was a fantastic experience! Would do it again in a heartbeat 🙂
Hi Kaitlin- what an experience. Naturally the American boys couldn’t compare with us Aussie boys-RIGHT KAITLIN!!!!!
You kids are so lucky having parents. By the way Nan and Pop first went overseas when we were about 40 years of age !!!
We had a fantastic trip travelling up the Rhine River and marvelled at the history of many of the towns and villages. I think Australia may have the best climate though. We are now back in Perth, jet lagged and looking forward to going back to Augusta. Tell Mum and Dad you car still goes. Thanks for your blog. Love to all. Nan and Pop
Great blog Kaitie…what an amazing opportunity. I bet you so hated being the centre of attention! I can tell by the way you were hiding out in the bathroom with Tiara!!! Glad you are savouring all the experiences. Its a wonderful thing you are able to do!! Is your Pop right???…the best boys are in OZ!!!???
Love and Sunshine to you all XXXXXXXXX
Hahaha Nan, Pop, and Aunty Trace, the best boys are definitely Australian 😉 haha!
I hope your adventure was great and hope that the jetlag wasn’t too bad! It would have been amazing!
It was all a very big and wonderful adventure! 😀
Hay Kaitlin,
’bout time you did some school work young lady…all that socializing must have been exhausting! Have you developed a pride in your Australian culture that you never new you had? It is so cool being an Aussie traveling as everyone wants to hear you speak and ask you questions…right? Thinking you might have been bitten by the travel bug-maybe one day you will do an exchange while you’re at Uni in a couple of years?
Love to the family!
The Dewars
G’day Kat,
Did they ask you if ‘dingo’s really eat babies?’ – I got that heaps when i was over there.
Love to everyone – Chloe misses Kit and everyone missed ALL the Howitts at the sports carnival last Thursday.
Love Deb xxx
Mrs Dewar (I’m still trying to get myself to start calling you Denise)
I definitely have more pride for Australia, they asked me to say so much! I can’t wait for Australia day!
Debbie, they didn’t ask about dingos, surprisingly, but they were very curious about Kangaroos and so Tiara and I let them know that we ride them to school with little saddles, and the cool kids ride the Emus. My friends believed a lot.
Hey Kaitlin!!
Missing you sooooo much! Have been reading the blog, everything sounds AMAZING!!!
All good on the Island of Kangaroos and I’ll take your word for it about the American boys! I wish I was there at the high school with you, there are so many rumours I want to check out!!
Love Georgie (say hi to EVERYONE!!)
hey George 😀
You should come back with me when we are about 21:P
There are lots of rumors that I found interesting:)
Miss you too and will have to catch up soon enough xxx
YESSSSSSS!!!!! Apparently the shopping is awesome!
I am going over to Perth in January to see one of my friends from Christmas Island, Jaye, who I haven’t seen in over a year! I’m super excited, but I wish I could see more of my friends, as they will be away…
Speak soon xoxoxoxoxox
Georgie