e-mail—> kirstenrafinski@yahoo.com
skype —> kirsten.nicole.rafinski
If you need any other information just leave a comment!
Kirsten's Blog
My '09-'10 Rotary Youth Exchange to Poland
Photo Of The Week
Hortulus Ogród
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Quotes
"Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag." -Alexander Solzhenitsyn
“To have another language is to posses a second soul.” -Charlemagne
"If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world." -Ludwig Wittgenstein
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new lands but in seeing with new eyes." -Marcel Proust
"Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen." -Benjamin Disraeli
"All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it." -Samuel Johnson
"One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." -Henry Miller
"The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart." -Julien Green
"One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it." -Sidney Howard
"Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different" -Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." -Marcel Proust
"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -Frank Herbert
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." -T.S. Eliot
"The road leading to a goal does not separate you from the destination; it is essentially a part of it." -Charles DeLint
"If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up." -J.M. Power
Kirsten's Blog 
Can you email me the recipe for the fruit cake that you loved from Polland?
Thank you,
Joellen
By: Joellen on December 24, 2011
at 4:07 am
Kirsten, You don’t know me but I’ve been following your adventures in the Johnstown Tribune Democrat. I live near Somerset and am of Polish descent so I was very interested. My daughter spent a summer with a family in Germany (my late husband was from Germany) when she was 13 and had a fantastic adventure. So your trip reminded me of hers. (She is now 40 years old!) You write beautifully and I told my husband now that you could be an author. Keep up the good work. I will be looking forward to hearing how you adjust to your Johstown home again when you return. Best of luck to you. Barbara
By: Barbara Witchie on July 1, 2010
at 3:11 pm
Kirsten–Today Ivar posted the Koszalin Jottings!!
That was so great you are having a wonderful experience in Poland and the fact that you are embracing so much of the opportunities to travel and experience the traditions is terrific.
It’d good to know that you are not missing out on the cold and snow…you have probably heard that we have had some major dumpings of snow here in the Laurel Highlands for the past several weeks…since the day after Christmas to be exact. No snow for Santa but plenty for him to get back to the North Pole.
I know that this is just the first of your adventures…you have a certain zest for travel that will no doubt follow you for the rest of your life. Keep writing and telling us about the details of your experience. We in the Johnstown Rotary are all so very pleased to read about your adventure.
And do contact Jessica above….she was in Poland during the 9/11 attacks…and as I recall got very involved in the music scene while a YE…so you two would have much to share.
Have a great winter!!
By: Donna Gambol on January 9, 2010
at 9:17 pm
Hello Kirsten! We don’t know each other– I found your blog through Yahoo Answers, where you posted great advice for another student about to travel with Rotary! I traveled to Germany with Nacel as a high school student, then through American Junior Year at Heidelberg, in college. What a great young ambassador you are! You are such a mature, observant young woman, and you have such a bright future ahead of you! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog and I wish all the best in your journeys! Sincerely, Julie Frank Los Angeles, CA
By: Julie on November 18, 2009
at 11:11 pm
Kirsten,
Have been following your blogs. Excellent reviews of your activities. Keep up the good work. Speaking of work, any photos of the school classes? Your introduction was very interesting, but how are things going now? How difficult is the Polish language?
Waiting for your next entry.
By: Rose Ann on October 18, 2009
at 1:17 am
Im glad that your having fun over there. I am enjoying reading your blogs. Keep having fun, I love you, and remember… dont talk with strangers! :)
By: Aunt Tammy on September 30, 2009
at 3:58 am
Dear Kirsten – Good morning young lady. I just read your blog (September 29th) and enjoyed it a lot. First I want to tell you how proud I am of you! This exchange is going to be just one of many “positive” milestones in your life. I have great hopes for you and this is just the beginning. Keep up the good work and continue making good decisions.
Now for a few minutes of news from Papa. Soon I will be taking off with my camper to do what I do best at this time of year (Hunting). My first stop will be Wyoming for mule deer and then when I finish there I will be going to Montana to hunt deer and elk. I have been preparing my camp trailer and getting all my equipment in order since returning from Europe. I would like to share the experience of a hunt with you one day. Hopefully we could make that happen. The distance between PA and CA make it a bit of a challenge.
I spoke with your dad last night and he said all was well on the home front. He said your brother (JD) was manipulative. How could that be? Actually your dad was just playing with JD and teasing him as we spoke on the phone. Your dad and mom bought some Notre Dame tickets at a local auction so perhaps you have heard that uncle Scott and Tim will be going to the game with your dad and some old high school friends. He was excited about the week-end falling into place.
Ok my dear, keep having the time of your life. You have to be exhausted with the schedule you keep but at the same time energized! I look forward to following your blog. Love, Papa
By: Papa on September 29, 2009
at 1:46 pm
Dear Kirsten,
I congratulate you on your blog and your decision to spend your school year in Poland. I just returned from Poland where I visited Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane and Torun. I was very surprised that almost no one spoke English, even the young people and so little written information is available in English so I am curious how you communicate with your school mates? Totally in Polish? Or do you attend an International Baccalaureate Program where English is spoken ? I speak another Slavic language and it was of little help to me while I was there.
Best regards, Susan
By: Susan on September 20, 2009
at 2:37 pm
Kirsten, your blog is amazing! Papa and I are in Norway visiting one of our former exchange daughters. When Cecilia heard me reading your blog she said “she could write a book”. Now I see that same comment here. You are doing a great job and we’re loving hearing about your adventures. We’ll write more soon. Love, Nonni and Papa
By: Nonni & Papa on September 18, 2009
at 4:50 pm
Hi Kristen! I am from Johnstown, and my junior year of highschool, I went to Poland (also through the Rotary Club)! So, I am very interested in your travels. It was in 2001 that I went, and such a great year! I am living in Vermont now, but I remember Poland fondly! I’d love to share some advice, memories, etc, so feel free to contact me at anytime!!!
Jessica
By: Jessica on September 10, 2009
at 8:59 pm
I see a book in your future.
By: Cashaw on September 6, 2009
at 4:20 pm