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Sunday, December 6, 2009 ♥ 11:34 AM

These risks I took,
these dangers I have courted:

The biggest risks I have taken are participating in the International Youth Exchange Program and being a Page. It took huge courage for me to decide to live with a random family in a foreign country. The idea of being in Italy with an Italian family seemed more than I could dream of, yet when I was actually in Italy with the fast driving and loud people, I was a little scared. Plus, I didn't know the family (other than getting to know them through e-mails). But, I braved it out and it turned out to be one of the best, worthwhile experiences of my life.

Fabio, Lorenzo, me, Chiara, and Giuliana on our last night together last summer

Chiara and me before Chiara's friend Martina's 18th birthday party

At an art museum

With Paolo driving to the Camp de Fiori

With Giuliana and Fabio after getting gelato in the square

Franceso, Alessandro, me, Paolo, and Chiara walking around the Roman streets

Me, Chiara, and Lorenzo (Chiara's 13 year old brother) before climbing an obstacle course on ropes in the trees


Working as a Congressional House Page was a huge risk I took as well. I mean, how many high school students decide to live away from home for five months in a city across the country? Not many. I remember my mom telling me I
 had been accepted by Congressman Adam Smith to be his Page for the semester. I remember thinking that I didn't want to be a Page anymore. But, somehow I forced myself to get on that 5.5 hour flight to the Dulles airport and to stand in the line of other high school juniors in the freezing cold to load our belongings into our new home. After that first day of the orientation, initiation ceremony, and Starbucks with my fellow Pages, I just remember that I wasn't even sad to see my family go. I'm so glad I took the risk of becoming a Page because it was honestly the most incredible experience I have ever been a part of.
With my sister Sophie in my dorm room (room 229) on my first day as a Page

A picture of the capitol with thousands of people that I took on my way to an outdoor concert on the capitol lawn

Posing by "Mr. Sam Page" with my friend Tucker during our ten minute break at school (Every morning, we'd look at Mr. Sam Page to read the sign that would tell us what time school would end that day)



(A video of me at the initiation ceremony receiving my Page pin on my first day as a Page. Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate it!)
about me.

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My name is Sabrina. I am a triplet and a senior at Bellarmine Preparatory School. There's nothing that makes me happier than true friends, colorful nail polish, otter pops, girly music, chocolate, hugs, crisp apples, singing in the car, happy positive people, the Boston Celtics/Ray Allen, naps, mint chocolate chip ice cream, surprises, hot cocoa, Italians, and David Archuleta. I am a very trusting person and feel comfortable with almost anyone. Right now, I try my hardest in everything I attempt and strive for my best, no matter what. In the next ten years, I hope to go to a great university to pursue a degree in nursing. Something I'm really hoping to do is travel and study abroad. When it's time to find a place to live, I definitely want to reside in a sunny, warm area. San Diego is one of my top choices at the moment, but who knows what changes may arise within the next ten years. Overall, I just want to have a successful life with a loving husband and family, and I look forward to seeing how the events leading up to that will turn out!