the weeks spent preparing
The last few weeks have been busy but fun. I've done a lot of sitting around and watching tv with michael, but probably just as much freaking out to get everything in order for Japan. I've spent heinous amounts of money on things I need (but still), like a laptop and toiletries and the like.
On Tuesday, I drove to Atlanta and back with Peyton, another kid going to Japan from Elon, to get our visas. What an adventure that was. Basically, I ended up not being able to fall asleep at all the night before, so take an intense day-trip, sprinkle in being awake for 38 hours and the stress of japanese red-tape, and apparently what you get is giggle fits, incorrect grammar and a bonding adventure.
But the big news? I heard back from the other scholarship I applied for - Freeman Asia. Yea, I got another $5,000. Amazing. Now I feel way less stressed. I mean, after buying my plane ticket and my laptop (among all those little things that add up), I was starting to feel nervous about having enough money in Japan. Then this happens. I am pretty much good to go. For the first time in my life, I can enjoy myself, really enjoy myself, and not feel guilty every time I spend anything (tho, old habits die hard, I suppose). But now I can do all sorts of fun things and not have to say no just because I don't have the money!
I'm still nervous as all heck, though. Nervous and scared and excited and unsure and heart broken and anxious and sad and adventurous...
On Tuesday, I drove to Atlanta and back with Peyton, another kid going to Japan from Elon, to get our visas. What an adventure that was. Basically, I ended up not being able to fall asleep at all the night before, so take an intense day-trip, sprinkle in being awake for 38 hours and the stress of japanese red-tape, and apparently what you get is giggle fits, incorrect grammar and a bonding adventure.
But the big news? I heard back from the other scholarship I applied for - Freeman Asia. Yea, I got another $5,000. Amazing. Now I feel way less stressed. I mean, after buying my plane ticket and my laptop (among all those little things that add up), I was starting to feel nervous about having enough money in Japan. Then this happens. I am pretty much good to go. For the first time in my life, I can enjoy myself, really enjoy myself, and not feel guilty every time I spend anything (tho, old habits die hard, I suppose). But now I can do all sorts of fun things and not have to say no just because I don't have the money!
I'm still nervous as all heck, though. Nervous and scared and excited and unsure and heart broken and anxious and sad and adventurous...