I was just thinking, today, about all the events and days, between now and when I leave, that are numbered. It's nerve racking when I think about these things, but it's exciting just the same. Let me make a list for you of the things I'm counting.
16 Months
1 School Year (and some weeks)
2 Summer Vacations
2 Fourth of July's
1 Fall
1 Thanksgiving
1 Birthday
1 Winter
1 Christmas
1 New Year's
1 Easter
1 Spring
It's exciting to think that I have just so many big things to look forward to before. At the same time, it's kind of sad to think that I'll only have one more birthday to spend with my family and friends. After my year in Germany, I'll be in college. It certainly is not going to get easier to spend these things with the people I care about.
Just my thoughts for today.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Is it May, Yet?
Well, I talked to my mom and dad about the hair thing, and they seemed to think it was a good idea. I'll figure out more details for it, later.
In regards to the title, that's when I'll probably start the hair thing, and it's also when I'll make another appointment with my counselor to talk more about this thing. That's when I'll give him a form he needs to fill out for my application. I'm thinking I'll make an appointment for early to middle of May. I still need to work on my application essays. I should probably do that sometime soon...
It's weird. When I've told people about my plan to study abroad, I've gotten mixed reactions. Some people tell me it's really cool and wish me luck. Others look at me crazy when I say I'm going my senior year. Others tell me how much they are going to miss me. And still others give me a mixed reaction. I appreciate the well-wishes and when I'm told I'm going to be missed. It makes me feel like I've got support here. And who doesn't love being told they'll be missed? It makes one feel like people truly care about them. I just hope those who think I'm crazy realize this whole thing is worth it to me.
It sucks trying to explain myself to people. It seems like they just don't understand how important having this experience is to me. It is worth more to me than having the experience of senior year. True, people say it's the best year of high school (I'm sure some say it's even the best year of their life), but just think of how much better it would be in another country. Sure, I'll have to leave all my friends and every familiar thing behind, but I'll make a new life and make new friends. I'll get to become part of another culture, learn a knew language fluently, get a different perspective on things happening here. I don't know if I explained this well, or correctly. Maybe if there are other soon-to-be exchangers reading this, they'll know what I'm talking about. Maybe someone else could explain it better.
Anyway, I've still got along way ahead of me before this adventure will become reality. I just hope I can prepare myself, my friends, and my family adequately beforehand.
In regards to the title, that's when I'll probably start the hair thing, and it's also when I'll make another appointment with my counselor to talk more about this thing. That's when I'll give him a form he needs to fill out for my application. I'm thinking I'll make an appointment for early to middle of May. I still need to work on my application essays. I should probably do that sometime soon...
It's weird. When I've told people about my plan to study abroad, I've gotten mixed reactions. Some people tell me it's really cool and wish me luck. Others look at me crazy when I say I'm going my senior year. Others tell me how much they are going to miss me. And still others give me a mixed reaction. I appreciate the well-wishes and when I'm told I'm going to be missed. It makes me feel like I've got support here. And who doesn't love being told they'll be missed? It makes one feel like people truly care about them. I just hope those who think I'm crazy realize this whole thing is worth it to me.
It sucks trying to explain myself to people. It seems like they just don't understand how important having this experience is to me. It is worth more to me than having the experience of senior year. True, people say it's the best year of high school (I'm sure some say it's even the best year of their life), but just think of how much better it would be in another country. Sure, I'll have to leave all my friends and every familiar thing behind, but I'll make a new life and make new friends. I'll get to become part of another culture, learn a knew language fluently, get a different perspective on things happening here. I don't know if I explained this well, or correctly. Maybe if there are other soon-to-be exchangers reading this, they'll know what I'm talking about. Maybe someone else could explain it better.
Anyway, I've still got along way ahead of me before this adventure will become reality. I just hope I can prepare myself, my friends, and my family adequately beforehand.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Waiting, Planning, Writing...
Well, as I'm sure you can tell, this is my first post here. I plan to update this once a week while I'm in Germany, but for now, I'll just use it to record my thoughts and the process prior to my departure.
Anyway, I guess I'll talk a bit about what I'm doing so far. I've decided to go with the Youth for Understanding (YFU) organization. The cost, location, and scholarship opportunities just fit to me and my needs best. As of now, I haven't submitted my application. I'm planning to wait until the end of this school year, in June. By then I will have written all the essays, gotten all the pictures, and filled out all the forms I need to.
Even though this program costs less than some others I looked at, it's still going to cost a butt-load of money. Right now, I have a job that might bring in a good sum of cash by the time I leave, but I will probably need to do more to make more. I'll probably look at getting a summer job (that's in addition to the one I have now, and the little job I'll have on Sundays) for both of the summers between now and when I leave. I might do some fundraisers, too. I've thought about holding a contest of sorts in which people can pay a bit of money and make a guess at to how long my hair will be at the end of the summer of 2011. I'll pitch the idea to my family and see how that goes...
I guess that's all for now. I don't know when I'll post again, but I doubt it's going to be a regular thing.
Aufwiedersehen!
Anyway, I guess I'll talk a bit about what I'm doing so far. I've decided to go with the Youth for Understanding (YFU) organization. The cost, location, and scholarship opportunities just fit to me and my needs best. As of now, I haven't submitted my application. I'm planning to wait until the end of this school year, in June. By then I will have written all the essays, gotten all the pictures, and filled out all the forms I need to.
Even though this program costs less than some others I looked at, it's still going to cost a butt-load of money. Right now, I have a job that might bring in a good sum of cash by the time I leave, but I will probably need to do more to make more. I'll probably look at getting a summer job (that's in addition to the one I have now, and the little job I'll have on Sundays) for both of the summers between now and when I leave. I might do some fundraisers, too. I've thought about holding a contest of sorts in which people can pay a bit of money and make a guess at to how long my hair will be at the end of the summer of 2011. I'll pitch the idea to my family and see how that goes...
I guess that's all for now. I don't know when I'll post again, but I doubt it's going to be a regular thing.
Aufwiedersehen!
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