Dramatic changes..

Alright so! So many things have changed since I last posted.. and it's kind of embarrassing looking back at the last post I made since.. well I'll explain.

About a week after my last post, I discussed the financial aspects of an exchange with my family, and we realized that trying to raise $9,000 by November was somewhat unrealistic. After much reconsidering, we decided to look into other cheaper programs for me to go next year.

We looked into Rotary Youth Exchange, and I've sent in an initial application. We have interviews in October, and then again in November for the weekend, which I'm really excited for! I'm just really hoping things work out through Rotary, as they're fairly selective.

While I am really bummed things didn't work out with AFS, I think I'll be very happy just being able to go anywhere through any program :)

Nerves, Stress, and Doubt!

Alright so, this is going to be the most depressing post I'll probably ever write, but hopefully it's a window into what I'm currently feeling.

The students leaving for the year program in Italy fly out tomorrow night. I can't even explain how jealous I am. They have their applications done, their trip paid for, and their visas done. Guess what I have? Nothing. No full application yet. No money at all. No visa. I'm so worried.

Basically, I've spent the past two weeks thinking about this exchange and what it means to me. In June, I looked into it for fun. Just something to consider and look at and dream about. Over three months, I've fallen in love with the idea. I want to go to another country. I want to learn a new language. I want to experience a new culture. I want to explore. I want to travel. I want to start living.

I'm so worried about not getting funded. It literally scares me to the point where I want to just give up all the time. It's hard to stay positive when you've made effort with no luck. I've sat here and thought about how much money I'm NOT making and how I'll NEVER be able to go and this was all silly and I should've never even started this process. Lately, the side of me that started this journey is screaming at me. Why haven't I made attempts at fundraising? Why do I get home and nap, instead of writing emails, making phone calls, or visiting businesses asking for a minute of their time to explain my trip? Why am I sitting here, saying "I can't, I can't, I can't" when in reality, I'm not, I'm not I'm not?

Advice for any future exchangers: Do NOT lose hope! If you want it bad enough, somehow it will happen. I need to take this more seriously and get dedicated to fundraising and make a darn effort. It's not going to just fall in my lap. I'm not going to stumble upon an abandoned briefcase with 9,000 dollars. I have to work for it, I have to grow up, and I have to take myself a lot more seriously.

Starting today I'm going to make it known that this is what I'm doing and I'm going to get it no matter what. I need to start establishing myself as a foreign exchanger instead of a "possible foreign exchanger". I AM leaving in January, and I WILL live in Italy for 6 months! Prayers, donations, advice, anything at this point is very appreciated.

Work & Such

Today was my second day of work! Yesterday was my first, and it was a WAY better day than today. Today was really just not fun at all. It was super slow and I kept doing every little thing wrong. But by the end of the week I'll have made $92 so that's a positive thing! Oh and here's a picture of me in my adorable uniform :D!

I got an email from my local AFS representative telling me about a Central California scholarship! However, they review scholarships in January, but I'd leave in January.. so I basically have to be funded and then I assume I'd be refunded? So it doesn't solve the lack of money now situation. He said he emailed the Portland AFS office to see why I was rejected from Global Leaders.. so maybe there's still hope.

On a way positive note.. our house is basically sold! So now we have 45 days to secure a place to live (although it probably won't take that long) and then I can turn in my full application with the $900 deposit! But first I have to actually go to the doctor/school and get all the forms filled out that are necessary. Oh and I'll probably have to have some type of a photo shoot for my cover page/picture page.. ha.

Anyway, it's exciting that things are actually moving forward (even if slowly) and I'm making money so yay! Things can only go up from here!

I got a job!!

Finally! I'm now an employee at Wienerschnitzel, and my first day is Friday! So I'll be making $8/h (minimum wage) but it's totally worth it. Also, (hopefully) by the beginning of September, I'll be able to have my full application and the $900 turned in! Fingers crossed.

Plus, next weekend, I finally start those refereeing classes for soccer (which will hopefully not conflict with work).

OH! AND! Alissa (my best friend...not) and I are auditioning for Wheel of Fortune's Teen Best Friend week on next Wednesday! It's mainly just for fun and to see what happens, but we're both pretty confident in our abilities to solve puzzles.

Annnndd we're moving REALLY soon, which means we'll have extra money to put towards my trip (yessssssssss!!!) and I'll be that much closer to being there!

So many exciting things (in the midst of the rejection from the scholarship - which we're appealing) and they all somehow come back to Italy. Funny how that works ;).

So... some unfortunate news.

I just currently found out that I was rejected from the Global Leader's Scholarship through AFS. I'm definitely disappointed but not too worried. I know if I try hard enough I'll be able to get it fully funded!

I had a job interview today and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something good will come from it! Ahhh so much praying to do!

Wish me luck!

Good news good news!

So! I found out the total cost will be $9,250, which is about $2,000 cheaper than we were expecting! And with $4,000-$5,000 in scholarships coming up, this is like definitely happening! I'm so excited and happy and anxious and I can't wait to get started on everything!

Also, I'm going to start refereeing soccer on weekends starting in August, and I'll make $60 :)!! And hopefully some kind of job opportunity will come up. I'm just going to keep praying!!

And there's always the chip in button on the side ;).

Recent movement!

Hello again! So recently, I've submitted a preliminary application, applied for the Global Leader's Scholarship, and gotten started on my full application. Now I'm hoping to get my Sponsor an AFSer thing up, so that I can start getting some donations!

Also, I turned 16 yesterday, so I can legally apply for jobs! I'm really excited and hope to get hired soon! I guess I'm just going to have to keep calling places back until they give me definite answers! One of my birthday presents was a phrase book in Italian with basic slang and curse words (thanks Maddy!). So far, all I really know how to say is "I have a foot fetish, and am not ashamed!" and "Those shoes make you look like a redneck". While I probably won't be using them in Italy, it's still fun to know :).

So that's basically it! Hopefully I'll hear back on more information and get my full application started!