I've been thinking recently, and after giving it a lot of consideration and thought, I have decided to move my blogging to my other blog.
It's been a bit tough maintaining my blogs since I basically have a lot of the same information to update about on each one.
And I think my private one will be a bit better and more entertaining to read as time goes on.
There will be a bit more personal happenings going on and more day to day life things such as stuff with JLSC and Japanese lessons and funny happenings and so on.
I hope you guys will keep reading on the other one!
Thanks for following and reading so far!
Hope to see you on the other blog,
**Betania
JLSC...Advanced!!!
Okay so...
Today I...well okay technically yesterday *it's 3.00 Am Sunday morning right now*....I went to JLSC.
It's the beginning of the second semester. Kinda weird. But good.
I have officially been "promoted", as my sensei said it, to the advanced class.
Which means I just bumped myself up two levels.
It was abit weird at first but I had already met all the people in the class before and they are all pretty cool.
It was a bit sad because my bestie couldnt go but I filled her in on the stuff we covered and so I think she should be all good now. She just won't be coming to the school until January....which is a bit depressing for me.
Oh well.
Anyway.
It was fun.
I don't have a book yet so they had to make a few copies of some things for me. It was a weird change from the book we used in the first class because this one actually had some grammer stuff to it and went more in-depth. I think it might have a few more things in there than the book I am using with my tutor.
I like the way the class was set up.
The class goes from 9-12.
The advanced class is divided into two groups. There's us in the regular and then there is the people in the advanced advanced class lol. (we'll just call them AA....hahahaa)
In the first hour us in the regular advanced class work on our stuff and those in AA get a test over the things they worked on the class before (at least that's what I think it was over).
And then in the second hour we switch and AA goes over book work while we take a test over what happened last class, or in the last few lessons.
I took it too and I got a few questions. My main stumbling block was the Kanji. I knew some but not a lot of them.
Well, in the last hour it was really cool. The last hour is left for Japanese conversation.
Its a bit weird at first...my speaking skills I think still need work for me to think of things when asked something. But it helped a lot. And everyone was really cool about it when I made a mistake or something or needed help with a word. I'm pretty excited to do that again. I want to work on my conversational skills more. And I learned some new words too so that was good!!
So yeah that was basically how it went.
My main worry is that I will really have to sit down and review everything in a short amount of time because I want to be at least very close to being caught up to them since I am leaving in March. And the problem is that they were saying that it takes some months to catch up and get used to it. I don't have very many months. So I hope that I can study as much as possible.
I just don't want to rush through it all and then not remember anything I studied.
But based on the test I took today I just really need to work on my Kanji mainly. I knew most of the things on the test when I saw it and when I was working with the teacher to re-answer some of the things I didn't understand due to kanji. I also realized when we were talking that I need to work on my vocabulary. Although, surprisingly I knew more than I thought I did.
I think that a lot of things I worked on a long time ago with my tutor are coming back to me and that makes me really happy that I havent actually forgotten them. They have just kinda....been resting I think. And now that I get the chance to re-use a lot of that information....It made me really happy.
:D
Also in recent news I have been talking to a lot of people on Facebook. It was pretty cool. I know a TON of people now in Facebook who are also going to Japan the same time as me. And I already have some buddy-pals who I know will be going with me from the U.S. so that's exciting.
We all get along pretty well. And it is neat to be able to share information and stuff. And I love that I know so many people from so many different places.
I...I know people from Norway! NORWAY! That blows my mind in a whole new way. :)
So yeah. Small update. Hope to keep you guys updated on more stuff as it comes along.
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
Today I...well okay technically yesterday *it's 3.00 Am Sunday morning right now*....I went to JLSC.
It's the beginning of the second semester. Kinda weird. But good.
I have officially been "promoted", as my sensei said it, to the advanced class.
Which means I just bumped myself up two levels.
It was abit weird at first but I had already met all the people in the class before and they are all pretty cool.
It was a bit sad because my bestie couldnt go but I filled her in on the stuff we covered and so I think she should be all good now. She just won't be coming to the school until January....which is a bit depressing for me.
Oh well.
Anyway.
It was fun.
I don't have a book yet so they had to make a few copies of some things for me. It was a weird change from the book we used in the first class because this one actually had some grammer stuff to it and went more in-depth. I think it might have a few more things in there than the book I am using with my tutor.
I like the way the class was set up.
The class goes from 9-12.
The advanced class is divided into two groups. There's us in the regular and then there is the people in the advanced advanced class lol. (we'll just call them AA....hahahaa)
In the first hour us in the regular advanced class work on our stuff and those in AA get a test over the things they worked on the class before (at least that's what I think it was over).
And then in the second hour we switch and AA goes over book work while we take a test over what happened last class, or in the last few lessons.
I took it too and I got a few questions. My main stumbling block was the Kanji. I knew some but not a lot of them.
Well, in the last hour it was really cool. The last hour is left for Japanese conversation.
Its a bit weird at first...my speaking skills I think still need work for me to think of things when asked something. But it helped a lot. And everyone was really cool about it when I made a mistake or something or needed help with a word. I'm pretty excited to do that again. I want to work on my conversational skills more. And I learned some new words too so that was good!!
So yeah that was basically how it went.
My main worry is that I will really have to sit down and review everything in a short amount of time because I want to be at least very close to being caught up to them since I am leaving in March. And the problem is that they were saying that it takes some months to catch up and get used to it. I don't have very many months. So I hope that I can study as much as possible.
I just don't want to rush through it all and then not remember anything I studied.
But based on the test I took today I just really need to work on my Kanji mainly. I knew most of the things on the test when I saw it and when I was working with the teacher to re-answer some of the things I didn't understand due to kanji. I also realized when we were talking that I need to work on my vocabulary. Although, surprisingly I knew more than I thought I did.
I think that a lot of things I worked on a long time ago with my tutor are coming back to me and that makes me really happy that I havent actually forgotten them. They have just kinda....been resting I think. And now that I get the chance to re-use a lot of that information....It made me really happy.
:D
Also in recent news I have been talking to a lot of people on Facebook. It was pretty cool. I know a TON of people now in Facebook who are also going to Japan the same time as me. And I already have some buddy-pals who I know will be going with me from the U.S. so that's exciting.
We all get along pretty well. And it is neat to be able to share information and stuff. And I love that I know so many people from so many different places.
I...I know people from Norway! NORWAY! That blows my mind in a whole new way. :)
So yeah. Small update. Hope to keep you guys updated on more stuff as it comes along.
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
WOOT WOOT!!!
So Yesterday!
I got my Acceptance lett from JAPAN!!!!!!!!
I AM SO HAPPYY!!!!
I told my family and my teacher and my friends from AFS and CS.
So now the news it out.
But this is exciting! Still doesnt feel quite real yet. Especially now that I have gotten acceptance. It still feels so surreal. I cant wait to get more information, working on my visa, getting forms signed, attending orientationss....
*SIIGHHH**** I am just happy to have such an assurance.
Thanks so far for all the support guys!
**Betania
I got my Acceptance lett from JAPAN!!!!!!!!
I AM SO HAPPYY!!!!
I told my family and my teacher and my friends from AFS and CS.
So now the news it out.
But this is exciting! Still doesnt feel quite real yet. Especially now that I have gotten acceptance. It still feels so surreal. I cant wait to get more information, working on my visa, getting forms signed, attending orientationss....
*SIIGHHH**** I am just happy to have such an assurance.
Thanks so far for all the support guys!
**Betania
Phew
I finally got some info lol.
So it is still going for country review.
We are hoping to hear something this week.
I truely hope it is a good outcome. And Right now I am relieved to hear anything.
Sorry about the angry nature of my previous post. I guess the stress and worry really got to me.
Thanks for patience with my whining and complaining!
**Betania
So it is still going for country review.
We are hoping to hear something this week.
I truely hope it is a good outcome. And Right now I am relieved to hear anything.
Sorry about the angry nature of my previous post. I guess the stress and worry really got to me.
Thanks for patience with my whining and complaining!
**Betania
Updates, AFS Contact, Tough Times
So I know I haven't updated this one recently.
Not too much has gone on.
JLSC is going okay. My class had a presentation and we all got to introduce ourselves in front of all the Japanese parents there. Very fun and interesting :)
And I guess since a I am a bit more advanced than those in the class, me and two other good students were chosen to INTERVIEW some of the parents! It was fun.
And good practice with my Japanese.
I love JLSC so much. It is such a good refresher.
Japanese tutoring is going well. We are getting near the end of my first book!
WOOT!
Although I really need to find time to study more.
I have begun to work on kanji though.
....-.- ahh kanij. The bane of my existence. But it's coming along. And I am trying to put all the resources I have had at my disposal for a while now to good use.
I visit a forum frequently lately. I love it and all the people from Japan 2010-2011~ I love you guys!!!!
lol
So anyways. It has just been a great support system for me I think. And I love being able to really talk to people who understand how nerve-wracking it is with waiting and how terrifying that can be. But it is also a great way to connect with people. And I have made so many new friends. They are some of the awesomest people I have never met.
lol
Now...On to afs matters.
Lately AFS has become an annoyance to me.
You all will recall, or maybe not I don't know if I put it on here, that I was accepted by AFS USA in August. August 4 to be exact. I had sent my application in very early and panicked to get my interview done as soon as possible. All this to not only get my application in early but to also get it in before my deadline for my scholarship. I had HOPED that I would get some information very soon.
Unfortunately this has not been the case.
I have hit the 3 month mark for waiting for Japan to contact me (about acceptance since mot of you know about the TB thing). This I wouldn't mind so much, I was told it might take a while, if I didn't see other people who sent their applications in after me getting acceptence before me.
I am genuinely happy for them to be sure, this is one of those things where you just hope and pray for each other like you would never have hoped and prayed before. But What I don't understand is, having gotten my appliation in so early, much earlier than when they would start looking at them, one would think I would get information back by now about acceptance. And my advisor said it was a very good looking application.
So I have no idea what is going on with that. But I hope I get some positive news back soon.
This is making me even more uncomforatable every extra day i have to worry about it.
On my Advisor.
Maybe she is sick, maybe she is not in or something, but recently I feel like she has just not been there for me.
For some reason she has suddenly decided to fall off the face of the world. After attempts to get in contact with her I don't know what else to do. She has been such a great help through out this entire thing so far. Gives me good answers, gets back to me quick, but it has been 2 weeks not since we have spoken.
I recently sent an email to my local volunteer. She said she will do what she can. We'll see what happens with that. I had emailed her on Friday so there wasn't much to be able to do then.
But like I said. We will see.
Well..
Not much else. Just living life. Getting by. Trying not to think about negatives with this whole AFS matter.
Maybe it is just taking a long time but....whatever.
Anywho,
Thanks for reading, I'll post when I get more news.
**Betania
Not too much has gone on.
JLSC is going okay. My class had a presentation and we all got to introduce ourselves in front of all the Japanese parents there. Very fun and interesting :)
And I guess since a I am a bit more advanced than those in the class, me and two other good students were chosen to INTERVIEW some of the parents! It was fun.
And good practice with my Japanese.
I love JLSC so much. It is such a good refresher.
Japanese tutoring is going well. We are getting near the end of my first book!
WOOT!
Although I really need to find time to study more.
I have begun to work on kanji though.
....-.- ahh kanij. The bane of my existence. But it's coming along. And I am trying to put all the resources I have had at my disposal for a while now to good use.
I visit a forum frequently lately. I love it and all the people from Japan 2010-2011~ I love you guys!!!!
lol
So anyways. It has just been a great support system for me I think. And I love being able to really talk to people who understand how nerve-wracking it is with waiting and how terrifying that can be. But it is also a great way to connect with people. And I have made so many new friends. They are some of the awesomest people I have never met.
lol
Now...On to afs matters.
Lately AFS has become an annoyance to me.
You all will recall, or maybe not I don't know if I put it on here, that I was accepted by AFS USA in August. August 4 to be exact. I had sent my application in very early and panicked to get my interview done as soon as possible. All this to not only get my application in early but to also get it in before my deadline for my scholarship. I had HOPED that I would get some information very soon.
Unfortunately this has not been the case.
I have hit the 3 month mark for waiting for Japan to contact me (about acceptance since mot of you know about the TB thing). This I wouldn't mind so much, I was told it might take a while, if I didn't see other people who sent their applications in after me getting acceptence before me.
I am genuinely happy for them to be sure, this is one of those things where you just hope and pray for each other like you would never have hoped and prayed before. But What I don't understand is, having gotten my appliation in so early, much earlier than when they would start looking at them, one would think I would get information back by now about acceptance. And my advisor said it was a very good looking application.
So I have no idea what is going on with that. But I hope I get some positive news back soon.
This is making me even more uncomforatable every extra day i have to worry about it.
On my Advisor.
Maybe she is sick, maybe she is not in or something, but recently I feel like she has just not been there for me.
For some reason she has suddenly decided to fall off the face of the world. After attempts to get in contact with her I don't know what else to do. She has been such a great help through out this entire thing so far. Gives me good answers, gets back to me quick, but it has been 2 weeks not since we have spoken.
I recently sent an email to my local volunteer. She said she will do what she can. We'll see what happens with that. I had emailed her on Friday so there wasn't much to be able to do then.
But like I said. We will see.
Well..
Not much else. Just living life. Getting by. Trying not to think about negatives with this whole AFS matter.
Maybe it is just taking a long time but....whatever.
Anywho,
Thanks for reading, I'll post when I get more news.
**Betania
AFS Info!
So today, October 5, I FINALLY got some new info from AFS.
It is basically just a few packets that are supposed to be tips and stuff for me.
"AFS-USA Guides and Orientations" to be exact.
And then there is also one for my parents.
So I'm going to be taking that around with me forever! Lol. I'm just happy.
Also yesterday we got some forms that we need to re-sign apparently because some changes were made. But they said that we already signed two so we just need to get the third one done.
I'm so confused. Are you? haha. Oh well.
Anyways, that is bascially all I have right now. I was just so happy to finally get something at all since it has been almost 2 mo and not having heard anything.
Well, since that's about it I'll post something when anything new comes up.
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
It is basically just a few packets that are supposed to be tips and stuff for me.
"AFS-USA Guides and Orientations" to be exact.
And then there is also one for my parents.
So I'm going to be taking that around with me forever! Lol. I'm just happy.
Also yesterday we got some forms that we need to re-sign apparently because some changes were made. But they said that we already signed two so we just need to get the third one done.
I'm so confused. Are you? haha. Oh well.
Anyways, that is bascially all I have right now. I was just so happy to finally get something at all since it has been almost 2 mo and not having heard anything.
Well, since that's about it I'll post something when anything new comes up.
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
Finally a New Post!
Okay...
grr...I feel like it has been forever since I blogged about something. Lol. Oh well. I'm here now right?
So I have been worrying more and more and more and More and MORE about AFS. I am still waiting on my information/acceptance letter-email from Japan. I'm starting to get worried.So today I thought "Hey, what the heck, why not check out my online participant application and see if anything new has come up." Without expecting much from it I logged on.
Two cool things have appeared:
Thanks so much for reading!
Wish me Luck!**Betania
grr...I feel like it has been forever since I blogged about something. Lol. Oh well. I'm here now right?
So I have been worrying more and more and more and More and MORE about AFS. I am still waiting on my information/acceptance letter-email from Japan. I'm starting to get worried.So today I thought "Hey, what the heck, why not check out my online participant application and see if anything new has come up." Without expecting much from it I logged on.
Two cool things have appeared:
- Numero 1!--For those of you who have this as well, after you log on, at the "My Applications" page, it has a little box. Inside this box is sectioned.
- Program is the first
- Country
- Departure Year
- Program Length
.....anndd..... - Departure Date
It now says next to each one (program is a really general one right now so I won't put that on this list) - Country - Japan
- Departure Year - 2010
- Program Length - Year
- Departure Date - Winter
So that has definitely been updated since the last time. I don't remember what was and wasn't there but I KNOW it is different.
NEXT! I also see the Culture Trek Orientation thing, under my online app.'s "Orientation" list. I don't really know much about it and I have yet to check it out (maybe after I finish my homework here in a little bit.) I heard it is kinda boring but I'll have a look-see anyways and see what it's all about.
Thanks so much for reading!
Wish me Luck!**Betania
Time is Slow
So I've been going to work since last week.
I'm just more tired now. And my feet hurt. But it's nice to finally have a job! And the people I work with are really nice and cool. And they are always willing to help me. I have to start talking up Japan though I guess. And I think I should let them know bout it even though it isn't definite y'know?
So yeah. Work time just passes by slowly. It just drags on. I wish it didn't so that I could feel like I would go home soon. I am at the registers now though. And it is nice to talk to people and cash them out and all. Gets my mind off of the fact that, after about 6 hours of walking and standing, my feet are screaming at me. Lol. Oh well. Work is work. I'm trying to be positive about it.
And!!! I start school in.......T-2 days!!! Gah! It feels so weeeeiiiiirrrrdddd!!! The summer feels like it went by so fast! Just last week all of us were at school just picking up schedules (and fixing them) and getting our pictures taken for our student IDs! The first day of school always feels like a joke when I first have to wake up. I feel like someone's pulling a prank on me and that I'm going to show up at school and the place is going to be empty.
Well anyways, just wanted to give an update about whats happening. Not much thats too interesting but work is helping with Japan so thats always good. My dad says I am about 48% (awkward number, I know) paid off for Japan! I'm glad.
So I'll go for now. I have lots of things to do. Like Japanese Homework!
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
I'm just more tired now. And my feet hurt. But it's nice to finally have a job! And the people I work with are really nice and cool. And they are always willing to help me. I have to start talking up Japan though I guess. And I think I should let them know bout it even though it isn't definite y'know?
So yeah. Work time just passes by slowly. It just drags on. I wish it didn't so that I could feel like I would go home soon. I am at the registers now though. And it is nice to talk to people and cash them out and all. Gets my mind off of the fact that, after about 6 hours of walking and standing, my feet are screaming at me. Lol. Oh well. Work is work. I'm trying to be positive about it.
And!!! I start school in.......T-2 days!!! Gah! It feels so weeeeiiiiirrrrdddd!!! The summer feels like it went by so fast! Just last week all of us were at school just picking up schedules (and fixing them) and getting our pictures taken for our student IDs! The first day of school always feels like a joke when I first have to wake up. I feel like someone's pulling a prank on me and that I'm going to show up at school and the place is going to be empty.
Well anyways, just wanted to give an update about whats happening. Not much thats too interesting but work is helping with Japan so thats always good. My dad says I am about 48% (awkward number, I know) paid off for Japan! I'm glad.
So I'll go for now. I have lots of things to do. Like Japanese Homework!
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
Accepted! (part 1)
Well I say "part 1" because like I said in my last post. The acceptence is a two tiered process.
I have now been accepted by AFS-USA!
Now they have sent my information through to AFS-Japan and we will see from there.
I think now I have definitely recieved my scholarship since we got the whole application in before the 10th. Japan doesn't start looking at them until about the middle of August though. Still, it's a comfort to know I have been accepted. And that I've got my application in pretty early.
Wish me luck, and as always the donations are always appreciated!
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
I have now been accepted by AFS-USA!
Now they have sent my information through to AFS-Japan and we will see from there.
I think now I have definitely recieved my scholarship since we got the whole application in before the 10th. Japan doesn't start looking at them until about the middle of August though. Still, it's a comfort to know I have been accepted. And that I've got my application in pretty early.
Wish me luck, and as always the donations are always appreciated!
Thanks for reading!
**Betania
Interviews Interviews!
How nerve wracking!
On Friday, July 31, I had two interviews! Both of which hold very important outcomes for me!
I had a job interview at 2.00pm
and then I had a Home Interview for AFS! --at 4.00pm
I had so much fun! I got hired! So now I have a job! My family is going on vacation this coming week so I will not be working right away. I need to call the manager of the store while I'm on vacation and then she is going to give me my schedule. I'm going to be working starting when I come back! So now I can start really earning money for Japan!
Donations are still greatly appreciated though!
The home interview was so much fun! I got to say a lot of things that were just too much to explain in a thankyou note or an answer to a question on my blog! The lady was really nice and the interview was actually really casual. The only sad part is knowing that all I have left to do now is wait.
Man...after doing so much now for so long it's weird to have to just sit and wait which is the worst part of all. All that anticipation building up. But I'll have work, and school once it starts up, to keep it off my mind.
So here's how the application schedule is according to my advisor.
Since my application is now done completely, she will accept my application on behalf of AFS.
She says that acceptance into AFS is a two-tiered process:
First I have to be accepted by AFS-USA
Second I have to be accepted by AFS-Japan. It seems to take at least 4-6 weeks to hear back from them about my acceptance.
The deadline for the application for the Japan Year Program is October 27, but the program may fill up before that date since it is subject to availability. But for me to be eligible for my scholarship I already have to turn in my app. by the 10th of August so I think that I am safe. And the woman who did my interview said that she would send in my interview today, Saturday, so that AFS will have it first thing on Monday. I wonder if I will get a call/e-mail from my advisor about it?
Oh well! I hope everything goes good! And that no red flags came up in my interview!
Thanks again for reading!
**Betania
On Friday, July 31, I had two interviews! Both of which hold very important outcomes for me!
I had a job interview at 2.00pm
and then I had a Home Interview for AFS! --at 4.00pm
I had so much fun! I got hired! So now I have a job! My family is going on vacation this coming week so I will not be working right away. I need to call the manager of the store while I'm on vacation and then she is going to give me my schedule. I'm going to be working starting when I come back! So now I can start really earning money for Japan!
Donations are still greatly appreciated though!
The home interview was so much fun! I got to say a lot of things that were just too much to explain in a thankyou note or an answer to a question on my blog! The lady was really nice and the interview was actually really casual. The only sad part is knowing that all I have left to do now is wait.
Man...after doing so much now for so long it's weird to have to just sit and wait which is the worst part of all. All that anticipation building up. But I'll have work, and school once it starts up, to keep it off my mind.
So here's how the application schedule is according to my advisor.
Since my application is now done completely, she will accept my application on behalf of AFS.
She says that acceptance into AFS is a two-tiered process:
First I have to be accepted by AFS-USA
Second I have to be accepted by AFS-Japan. It seems to take at least 4-6 weeks to hear back from them about my acceptance.
The deadline for the application for the Japan Year Program is October 27, but the program may fill up before that date since it is subject to availability. But for me to be eligible for my scholarship I already have to turn in my app. by the 10th of August so I think that I am safe. And the woman who did my interview said that she would send in my interview today, Saturday, so that AFS will have it first thing on Monday. I wonder if I will get a call/e-mail from my advisor about it?
Oh well! I hope everything goes good! And that no red flags came up in my interview!
Thanks again for reading!
**Betania
So here is a pic. of my laptop. The cover is called "Sea Sky" I think?Sorry about the junk in the background of the second one.
The laptop's pretty sweet tho.
:3
Soon...
So tomorrow the woman who will be doing my home interview will be getting back from a trip. I'm really happy because I just want to finish with all my application stuff.
I am pretty ahead of schedule I think, and the app. has already been seen by my advisor but I guess they can't send in the whole thing until the home interview is done. I want to get it done with so that I don't have to worry about it up until the last minute y'know?
So maybe a few days after she comes back we will get in touch with her.
I'm some what nervous since I don't know what to expect with the interview, but I have talked to her before and she made it sound like it was going to be a nice casual thing.
On another note...My parents got me a laptop....!
I'm really super super super happy! I totally didn't expect it! They were like "Now we got this for you so that you have your own laptop for when you go to Japan. So take care of it"
It's juat a nice Dell laptop. And I love the features. My sister and mom both had one so I was sad I wouldn't have one of my own.
I will try to post pics of it when I can. Probably later today when I have time.
Anyways, Thanks for reading!
**Betania
I am pretty ahead of schedule I think, and the app. has already been seen by my advisor but I guess they can't send in the whole thing until the home interview is done. I want to get it done with so that I don't have to worry about it up until the last minute y'know?
So maybe a few days after she comes back we will get in touch with her.
I'm some what nervous since I don't know what to expect with the interview, but I have talked to her before and she made it sound like it was going to be a nice casual thing.
On another note...My parents got me a laptop....!
I'm really super super super happy! I totally didn't expect it! They were like "Now we got this for you so that you have your own laptop for when you go to Japan. So take care of it"
It's juat a nice Dell laptop. And I love the features. My sister and mom both had one so I was sad I wouldn't have one of my own.
I will try to post pics of it when I can. Probably later today when I have time.
Anyways, Thanks for reading!
**Betania
Japanese Lesson This Week
My Japanese teacher Akemi-Sensei has changed my lesson schedule for the summer as well as for my best friend Torrie who also takes lessons.
This is what it looks like:
Betania: lesson from 11:30-12:30
Lunch: Torrie and Betania 12:30-1:30
Torrie: lesson from 1:30-2:30
So we are both basically there for 2 hours. But it is soo much fun, and I also get to work in the kitchen while Akemi-Sensei tells me things to do around the kitchen in Japanese which REALLY REALLY helps my vocab.
This week we will be having lunch with one of her former students, Wyatt. I guess he wants to Japan a long time ago (he's in college) and will be going back sometime soon which is why he wanted to have lunch with Akemi-sensei before he goes...?
I think this is going to be fun, (just hope he remembers the date, ne sensei?), so I'll post about that and how it went with the practice. I'm really appreciating all the practice I can get.
Thanks for reading,
**Betania
This is what it looks like:
Betania: lesson from 11:30-12:30
Lunch: Torrie and Betania 12:30-1:30
Torrie: lesson from 1:30-2:30
So we are both basically there for 2 hours. But it is soo much fun, and I also get to work in the kitchen while Akemi-Sensei tells me things to do around the kitchen in Japanese which REALLY REALLY helps my vocab.
This week we will be having lunch with one of her former students, Wyatt. I guess he wants to Japan a long time ago (he's in college) and will be going back sometime soon which is why he wanted to have lunch with Akemi-sensei before he goes...?
I think this is going to be fun, (just hope he remembers the date, ne sensei?), so I'll post about that and how it went with the practice. I'm really appreciating all the practice I can get.
Thanks for reading,
**Betania
Thank You Letter
Here is my Thank You Letter I sent to AFS thanking them for my scholarship.
Sorry it's slightly long, i was having problems with indentation from the original so I had to just put an entirely new space.
Dear Scholarship Sponsor,
Words can hardly express how grateful I am for the scholarship money I have been awarded towards my exchange year in Japan. The fee for Japan is no small amount so every bit helps.
Since before I was born, my life has been a mix of cultures. My mother is Brazilian and my father is American. After my birth, my parents wanted to be sure that my Brazilian heritage was not lost to me and that I did not lose touch with my grandmother, aunts, and uncles who only speak Portuguese. My mother taught me Portuguese while my father, an American, taught me English. I have also traveled out of the U.S. to go to Brazil about every other year since I was born. Last year (2008) I had my 15th Birthday party, or Festa de Quinze Anos, which is an important coming of age party for a young woman in Latin American culture. That year my grandmother came to visit us.
I am extremely grateful for my parents’ decision to immerse me in the Brazilian culture. I have learned so much about the people and the life of Brazil. I will never forget or keep those years out of my memory; they have become a part of me. I can’t imagine myself another way. Now, though, I feel I am prepared to take the next step. I want to be able to experience the life and people of other cultures around the world. Japan is the leading interest for me.
The first time I had ever seen anything from Japan was when I stayed the night at my friend’s house five years ago. She had these strange picture books, comic books, that were written backwards. When I asked her she said they were “manga”, Japanese comic books. I soon found myself buying and collecting, reading and re-reading, even drawing these books. Different publishers included different things in the back of their books. One particular publisher had “Translator’s Notes” which gave marked explanations about things mentioned in the manga that were a part of Japanese culture with which an American might be unfamiliar.
First taking the challenge of learning to read manga right-to-left I began something that would affect me the rest of my life. Those books were the spark that helped to grow into the flame that is now my deep interest in Japan. Their culture is so different from America’s and every time I learn something new it keeps me wanting to know more. I have come a long way from where I was and for the past 4 years my life has been about Japan and how to get there.From taking classes in advance or extras to earn enough credits to graduate on time, to learning the language, the prospect of being in Japan has kept my life busy.
Going to Japan is the opportunity of a lifetime that not many get to enjoy. I am thankful for all the support my family and friends have given me. I am equally grateful for all of the knowledge my Japanese teacher, Akemi, has generously poured out to me about her Japanese culture and life.
I am most grateful to AFS for being able to provide the opportunity. I’m sure you hear these words of gratitude all the time but I hope it means something more every time you hear it.
Thank you all so much.
Sincerely,
Betania Pawson
Sorry it's slightly long, i was having problems with indentation from the original so I had to just put an entirely new space.
Dear Scholarship Sponsor,
Words can hardly express how grateful I am for the scholarship money I have been awarded towards my exchange year in Japan. The fee for Japan is no small amount so every bit helps.
Since before I was born, my life has been a mix of cultures. My mother is Brazilian and my father is American. After my birth, my parents wanted to be sure that my Brazilian heritage was not lost to me and that I did not lose touch with my grandmother, aunts, and uncles who only speak Portuguese. My mother taught me Portuguese while my father, an American, taught me English. I have also traveled out of the U.S. to go to Brazil about every other year since I was born. Last year (2008) I had my 15th Birthday party, or Festa de Quinze Anos, which is an important coming of age party for a young woman in Latin American culture. That year my grandmother came to visit us.
I am extremely grateful for my parents’ decision to immerse me in the Brazilian culture. I have learned so much about the people and the life of Brazil. I will never forget or keep those years out of my memory; they have become a part of me. I can’t imagine myself another way. Now, though, I feel I am prepared to take the next step. I want to be able to experience the life and people of other cultures around the world. Japan is the leading interest for me.
The first time I had ever seen anything from Japan was when I stayed the night at my friend’s house five years ago. She had these strange picture books, comic books, that were written backwards. When I asked her she said they were “manga”, Japanese comic books. I soon found myself buying and collecting, reading and re-reading, even drawing these books. Different publishers included different things in the back of their books. One particular publisher had “Translator’s Notes” which gave marked explanations about things mentioned in the manga that were a part of Japanese culture with which an American might be unfamiliar.
First taking the challenge of learning to read manga right-to-left I began something that would affect me the rest of my life. Those books were the spark that helped to grow into the flame that is now my deep interest in Japan. Their culture is so different from America’s and every time I learn something new it keeps me wanting to know more. I have come a long way from where I was and for the past 4 years my life has been about Japan and how to get there.From taking classes in advance or extras to earn enough credits to graduate on time, to learning the language, the prospect of being in Japan has kept my life busy.
Going to Japan is the opportunity of a lifetime that not many get to enjoy. I am thankful for all the support my family and friends have given me. I am equally grateful for all of the knowledge my Japanese teacher, Akemi, has generously poured out to me about her Japanese culture and life.
I am most grateful to AFS for being able to provide the opportunity. I’m sure you hear these words of gratitude all the time but I hope it means something more every time you hear it.
Thank you all so much.
Sincerely,
Betania Pawson
Question #5
Final Question:
#5
-What have you done, and what are you planning to do, to contribute to your fundraising efforts?
I have already started a bank account for any money I raise. Last year for my 15th birthday I asked for money to help for my trip to Japan. I received a lot from everyone in the form of cash and checks in my birthday cards. I am very grateful for their generosity.
I am still saving up on cash myself from holiday money and birthday money and allowance. I am cutting on my spending and have been applying to many places for a job to help with my fundraising.
Also I hope to soon get a "Sponsor-an-AFSer" widget and let people know about what I am doing and hoping to receive donations for Japan through that as well.
I have applied for and received a generous scholarship from AFS specifically for Japan. I will soon post the letter I sent AFS to thank them for the money awarded to me.
In addition my local chapter for AFS has been talking with us about a possible amount of money to be given to help me as well. Whether or not I receive anything from anyone, I am thankful for all I have received already and hope that I will be able to raise more money.
A big thank you also goes to anyone reading who has contributed money to help me with my exchange program to Japan. I can hardly express how much it is appreciated.
And that's all of my questions!
Hope that gave a little bit more information about myself and let everyone know a little bit more about me.
Thanks for reading,
**Betania
#5
-What have you done, and what are you planning to do, to contribute to your fundraising efforts?
I have already started a bank account for any money I raise. Last year for my 15th birthday I asked for money to help for my trip to Japan. I received a lot from everyone in the form of cash and checks in my birthday cards. I am very grateful for their generosity.
I am still saving up on cash myself from holiday money and birthday money and allowance. I am cutting on my spending and have been applying to many places for a job to help with my fundraising.
Also I hope to soon get a "Sponsor-an-AFSer" widget and let people know about what I am doing and hoping to receive donations for Japan through that as well.
I have applied for and received a generous scholarship from AFS specifically for Japan. I will soon post the letter I sent AFS to thank them for the money awarded to me.
In addition my local chapter for AFS has been talking with us about a possible amount of money to be given to help me as well. Whether or not I receive anything from anyone, I am thankful for all I have received already and hope that I will be able to raise more money.
A big thank you also goes to anyone reading who has contributed money to help me with my exchange program to Japan. I can hardly express how much it is appreciated.
And that's all of my questions!
Hope that gave a little bit more information about myself and let everyone know a little bit more about me.
Thanks for reading,
**Betania
Questions #3, #4
Question #3
-What do your friends and family think about your decision to become and AFSer?
I have been lucky enough to have a family that is so supportive of my wish to go to Japan. My parents have been very involved in finding ways to help me earn enough credits to graduate, work with my schedule to have enough classes and find a Japanese tutor for me to learn the language. Whenever I was down or felt like I might never finish all of my work my parents were right there to help me pick up where I left off and encourage me to move forward, to remind me of my goal
My friends have been equally supportive. I know they will miss me and they know it, too, but they wish me luck. All of my friends are rooting for me and hoping I will have a lot of fun.
I have been so fortunate to have everyone being so positive and being there for me when I was down or when I just needed uplifting.
Question #4
-What barriers or challenges have you overcome in order to become an AFSer?
One challenge is perhaps the fact that my plans went a little bad during the pre-app phase.
Before my parents and I had had more information about the Japanese requirements for the exchange program, my parents and I had decided that it would be best for me to graduate early. This seemed ideal because it would give me time when I came back, instead of having to jump right back into the school yeah when I returned. It would also take care of my having to catch up in classes when I come back after having been gone for 11 months.
We worked for a long time with my counselors and with my schedule, trying to figure out which classes to take and if I would need to take any summer school to earn extra credits to finish early.
One day we got a call from someone at AFS. I asked about different questions I had and when I told the woman about our plans for my going she told me Japan did not expect graduates.
You can imagine how upset we were; but it didn't mean we couldn't find a different approach.
This was certainly a setback though, as we had to go back and talk to the counselors and teachers and look back through all of our plans and ideas.
Happily we have found a different way; I have taken extra classes to make sure I will end with more than enough credits to be able to graduate with my class instead of ahead or behind them.
Although graduating ahead would be nice, every student hopes to one day walk across the stage with their class.
-What do your friends and family think about your decision to become and AFSer?
I have been lucky enough to have a family that is so supportive of my wish to go to Japan. My parents have been very involved in finding ways to help me earn enough credits to graduate, work with my schedule to have enough classes and find a Japanese tutor for me to learn the language. Whenever I was down or felt like I might never finish all of my work my parents were right there to help me pick up where I left off and encourage me to move forward, to remind me of my goal
My friends have been equally supportive. I know they will miss me and they know it, too, but they wish me luck. All of my friends are rooting for me and hoping I will have a lot of fun.
I have been so fortunate to have everyone being so positive and being there for me when I was down or when I just needed uplifting.
Question #4
-What barriers or challenges have you overcome in order to become an AFSer?
One challenge is perhaps the fact that my plans went a little bad during the pre-app phase.
Before my parents and I had had more information about the Japanese requirements for the exchange program, my parents and I had decided that it would be best for me to graduate early. This seemed ideal because it would give me time when I came back, instead of having to jump right back into the school yeah when I returned. It would also take care of my having to catch up in classes when I come back after having been gone for 11 months.
We worked for a long time with my counselors and with my schedule, trying to figure out which classes to take and if I would need to take any summer school to earn extra credits to finish early.
One day we got a call from someone at AFS. I asked about different questions I had and when I told the woman about our plans for my going she told me Japan did not expect graduates.
You can imagine how upset we were; but it didn't mean we couldn't find a different approach.
This was certainly a setback though, as we had to go back and talk to the counselors and teachers and look back through all of our plans and ideas.
Happily we have found a different way; I have taken extra classes to make sure I will end with more than enough credits to be able to graduate with my class instead of ahead or behind them.
Although graduating ahead would be nice, every student hopes to one day walk across the stage with their class.
Question #1, #2
Question #1
-Who are you? Why do you want to go abroad with AFS?
My name is Betania, I live in Ohio
I will be in 11th grade for the 2009-2010 school year.
I am planning to go to Japan for the Japanese 2010-2011 school year, in a year program.
I feel safe with AFS. AFS has a long history and has a lot of experience with student exchange. My dad first suggested AFS, I looked into it and I felt AFS was just the way to go.
I really want to go abroad so that I can experience different cultures. For many years I have truly wanted to go to Japan and be immersed in their culture. I want to improve my language skills for Japanese and I know from experience that the best way to learn any language is to be around it all the time, to get over the fear of making a mistake or two, and just go for it.
I absolutely love Japan and I think I'm ready to go and get an education that I wouldn't be able to get just from a textbook.
Question #2
-What do you expect to gain from this experience? How/what will you give in return?
I hope to gain a much better view of another place outside of the U.S.. I want to be able to be a good ambassador for the US and share culture with the Japanese people. I want to learn as much as I can about the world around me and see the views of different people. I also hope to gain many lasting memories of an amazing country so far away from home.
I want to be able to affect people even in the smallest way. I want to be able to share my knowledge of the US and maybe even my Brazilian heritage with the people I meet. I hope to leave a lasting, good impression on those I meet about Americans.
-Who are you? Why do you want to go abroad with AFS?
My name is Betania, I live in Ohio
I will be in 11th grade for the 2009-2010 school year.
I am planning to go to Japan for the Japanese 2010-2011 school year, in a year program.
I feel safe with AFS. AFS has a long history and has a lot of experience with student exchange. My dad first suggested AFS, I looked into it and I felt AFS was just the way to go.
I really want to go abroad so that I can experience different cultures. For many years I have truly wanted to go to Japan and be immersed in their culture. I want to improve my language skills for Japanese and I know from experience that the best way to learn any language is to be around it all the time, to get over the fear of making a mistake or two, and just go for it.
I absolutely love Japan and I think I'm ready to go and get an education that I wouldn't be able to get just from a textbook.
Question #2
-What do you expect to gain from this experience? How/what will you give in return?
I hope to gain a much better view of another place outside of the U.S.. I want to be able to be a good ambassador for the US and share culture with the Japanese people. I want to learn as much as I can about the world around me and see the views of different people. I also hope to gain many lasting memories of an amazing country so far away from home.
I want to be able to affect people even in the smallest way. I want to be able to share my knowledge of the US and maybe even my Brazilian heritage with the people I meet. I hope to leave a lasting, good impression on those I meet about Americans.
INFO+AFS
OKAY!
So I know I already have another blog.
Recently I recieved a scholarship from AFS (YAY!).
And to go along with the scholarship there are things I need to do, questions to answer and such. This will be my official AFS blog, more addressed to things about my AFS experience, while my other one will contain info on my ideas and experience and updates for my family and friends.
I know it sounds confusing and hopefully I dont get confused along with!
Im going to leave it at this for now. In my next post, which wont be too long after this God willing, will have info about me and some more things about AFS and what I need to do since I got my scholarship money.
If there are any other exchange students out there through WHATEVER program, Please let me know! And thats wether you have been somewhere already or if you are prepareing to go or hoping!
Thanks so much for reading!
**Betania
So I know I already have another blog.
Recently I recieved a scholarship from AFS (YAY!).
And to go along with the scholarship there are things I need to do, questions to answer and such. This will be my official AFS blog, more addressed to things about my AFS experience, while my other one will contain info on my ideas and experience and updates for my family and friends.
I know it sounds confusing and hopefully I dont get confused along with!
Im going to leave it at this for now. In my next post, which wont be too long after this God willing, will have info about me and some more things about AFS and what I need to do since I got my scholarship money.
If there are any other exchange students out there through WHATEVER program, Please let me know! And thats wether you have been somewhere already or if you are prepareing to go or hoping!
Thanks so much for reading!
**Betania
