WOW its been SUCH along time since my last post. I sincerely apologize. **bangs head against wall**
anyways, A LOT happened, so this is going to be a monster post.
first of all, i applied for this program, that's like a ..................i don't really know. its an exchange student program, but you live in a dormitory instead of with a host family. anyways, i applied for their scholarship, but they were kinda shady, and the guy i talked to was a DICK and took like 3 months to answer each of my emails, so by the time he finally got back to me, he was like "weeeellll you would have had to get your visa, and it takes a few months to process everything, and since you don't have time.....you cant go." so yeah....not liking this guy!!!! . so i was kinda bummed for a week, but i didn't let it stop me from looking for other options. i went to AFS's website, and although i had very little hope about this program (i heard it was a really good program, but it was SO expensive, i didn't think i would be able to do it) and i applied for every scholarship i could, and filled out the preliminary app (with the help of my amazing aunt, who paid the fee). i then got started on the HUGE full-application, and it seemed like every possible thing that could have gone wrong during that process went wrong. there were problems with my insurance, so i had to go to this sketchy-looking little (although the doctor was nice, i still had to pay 60 dollars for a physical) clinic near my house, and get the doctor there to fill the paperwork out. then, since i go to a charter school (like homeschooling) i had to write a statement explaining the program, and how i would be able to handle going to a regular school in japan. also had to answer some other questions and stuff. THEN, since i have a single mother, and my real dad skipped town when i was a few months old, i had to have her write a statement explaining why he was on my birth certificate but wouldn't be able to sign any of my application papers, and we had to get that notarized. fun. after all that mess, it was just waiting, which was also "fun." about two months later i found out i was a finalist for one of the full scholarships i applied for (yayyy!) by the way, it was the Toshiyuki Tanaka Scholarship. so then, i had to do a phone interview, where a representative from AFS Japan asked me some questions. so i had that about a week ago, and i was freaking out before it. but everything went really well, Ms.Etsuko (my interviewer) was really nice. she just asked me questions about my childhood, friends, hobbies, why I'm interested in japan, and stuff like that. it lasted about 30 minutes. oh yeah! i have a friend named Michael from Dana point, who was a finalist for the other scholarship (Yoshi Hattori) and his interview was right after mine!! so on Thursday, we were talking and he found out he won it! he found out early because he was really close with his local chapter (or area, theres AFS volunteers like EVERYWHERE) so at that point, i wanted to knock out for 12 or so hours, so i could get to the next day already and find out if i won the other scholarship. of course i couldn't sleep, so i wound up staying up till two in the morning eating chocolate and watching slumdog millionaire (LOVE that movie. seen it like four times XD) before dragging myself to my bed and knocking out. then, this morning, i was woken up at an ungodly hour for a day off of school (veterans day) , from a phone being jammed in my face by my younger brother. it was AFS!! here's how our conversation went:
me: h-hello? (super tired sounding)
her: hi, this is barbara from AFS ! did i wake you?
me: uhh..yeah.
her: well i hope this makes up for it : you got the scholarship!!
me: ....omg. no way! omg. oh my- aha! yayyy! wow! gosh im so happy! ahhhh i cant believe it! woohoo! ahaha
her: yeah!! im so happy for you. everyone in our chapter (L.A) loved your essay and application, and you have a wonderful personality. we are so proud of you! you deserved it!!
me: oh mg gosh.....thank you!! thanks!omg! i cant believe im actually going! i mean, its been my dream for so long....and im actually leaving in less than four months!!!! this is so surreal!!
her: *laughs* congratulations! ill let you go so you can call people and share the great news! AFS should be in contact with you within the next couple days to walk you through the student visa process. have a great weekend, and congratulations once again!!
me: thank you!! you too! omg!! haha
her: *laughs* bye now!
**click**
so yeah, i had a bit of a "omg" spazz attack. but what can i say, i was unprepared! haha. i then spent a good three hours calling family and friends.
so anyways, im leaving in mid march! for now all there is to do is apply for my visa and passport, and buy stuff i need. so excited!!! i dont even know how to describe my excitement, other than "yayy!!"
now that im for sure going, im going to be posting on this blog wayyyy more now!!!
and now i leave you with this epic picture!!
........i've never been on a train before.
