So, I haven't written anything in a while because it has been absolutely CRAZY!!! I just got back from a week in Maryland visiting friends before I leave. It was amazing and I was so glad to see everyone :) We caught up and planned for the year to come. I am very excited because Samira and Brenda are coming down Spring Semester to study :)
Now for the trip. I leave in 3 days; Friday at 2AM. I have no idea what I am feeling. I am excited to get down there, nervous because I don't know what type of communication I am going to be using to talk to people at home. Anxious; I am just ready to be down there and am over packing. I feel like I am packing my life away. My room consists of piles. Clothes to give away, clothes to put up in the attic clothes to pack and just CLOTHES. I found this amazing suitcase at a local store for 12 dollars... I think that was one of the cheapest things I bought. A lot has happened since my last post. To start... the visa saga.
New York makes getting a visa extremely hard and frustrating. I had to go to the city three different times on the train, by myself. The first trip I was confident that I had all my papers done and that this was SO EASY!! Well that confidence was shot down at the State Department. No one had told me that I had to go to the county to get my Birth Certificate and Criminal Record verified. I was frustrated!! Don't you think that if I have a birth certificate and a criminal record both ordered from the state and my name on them and a passport with my name on it that I am who I claim I am?? So that was the first day. I quickly went back home and had to head to the county office. This was day one... Day two I headed in and got passed the State Department and thought I was in the clear. I went to the Embassy and they took my papers also. I got on the train and called my advisor and found out that I wasn't going to be getting my birth certificate back..... This meant I would need to go through the whole process AGAIN with another birth certificate that I could hand in. Finally, the third trip in I finished everything. So now, I have all my papers for my visa done. The funny part is I don't even get my visa until a few weeks after I arrive.
Everything is starting to fall into place. I have received all my shots and everything is bought. It is just a matter of packing.
I have received the information about the family that I am living with. They are catholic and have a 14 year old daughter. They don't have any pets and speak minimal english. At first I didn't want any kids because I didn't want to be a babysitter. I think having a 14 year old "sister" will be fun. She will be able to show me around and tell me what to and what not to do. I love the fact that they barely speak any english. I didn't want a family to speak english because I want to be as immersed in the culture and language as possible. I have my address also but I have found out that street names are more of a formality but aren't really used. I did however find out that all of our houses are on the peninsula where I will be. The peninsula is only 3 miles long so I know I will not be that far from the school.
There is a lot more that I could write but I have to go spend a little quality time with my family before I leave.....
4 DAYS!!!
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