Recent Updates

The catalog I received from Robin.

Interview with Robin Frank

     I had my interview at last! A kind lady named Robin came all the way down from Kansas to interview me. To top it all off, she was on crutches. I am very grateful that she was willing to make a two hour drive here and back. It went very well. She asked some questions about my personality, my favorite foods, my relationship with my family, and whatnot. After she left, I felt that this was all the more real. It's really something when you know you're going to Japan!

Full Application

     So around last week I finally submitted my full application! Just today I received an e-mail that AFS had received my application and I that would get an e-mail sometime next week pertaining to my revisions and so forth. I hope there aren't too many! I'm so excited to have finally heard back from AFS. Every update brings me closer to my dreams. As for my $900 full application deposit, I only have $110 left to pay. I'm waiting on a $150 check to process into my PayPal account so that I can pay the deposit in full. Then it's waiting for the scholarship results! They'll be announced sometime mid-October. I hope I win one!

One of my commissions, "Zou-san" sold for $50.

Fundraising

     As of this week, I've raised $1,215 from my artwork auctions on Facebook. This has been a great way for me to raise money! It's paid for my $75 preliminary fee and my $900 full application fee. I have around $250 left towards my tuition. Plus, if I get donations from my blog, that will help big time! I've changed from the summer program to the year program.  Although my Chip-In button is set to a limit of $3,000, I am raising $5,000. Once I get close to $3,000, AFS is going to switch out the old Chip-In button for a new one. 

   

New Friends

Miyabi, myself, and Mew at cabaret at my community theater!

     Last week I got a schedule change in one of my classes to prepare for my trip to Japan, what with graduation requirements, and I made quite a discovery. At my school, we have four foreign exchange students: Angela from China, a girl from Brazil, Miyabi from Japan, and Mew from Thailand. I had no idea Miyabi and Mew were at my school until I walked into my new class and saw them sitting together at a table. For about three days I observed that no one talked to them, helped them, or even made any attempt to befriend them. That's when I decided to be that person. I asked if I could sit with them at lunch, and Mew replied with a soft "Yes." They are very shy and hardly spoke when I first met them. Now, after just a week, they've opened up and have shown their true personalities! I help them do their homework a lot, and translate things for Miyabi. I don't know any Thai, unfortunately, but Mew understands English better than Miyabi. Poor dear! 
     This has been an amazing experience. I'm so glad I got the chance to meet them! From observing their experiences as an exchange student, it really helps give me an idea of what my life in Japan will be like. When I come back in February of 2014, I'll know exactly how they felt.