Here's Hoping . . .

Hello Blogger World! Good afternoon, or evening or morning, depending on where ever you've stumbled upon this. Me? Still writing from Iowa - hopefully not for too much longer though! I've missed the first day of my school in Spain - September 15 - and now I've missed Spain Inbound Orientation in Madrid - September 22-24. *tear* There's still about fourteen people across the U.S. waiting for their visas to Spain though, so there's going to be mini-orientation in October for us, which is a relief. I can't wait to meet all the other exchange students!

As for the status of our visas . . . I heard on a Facebook group -- for those of you who don't know, exchange students connect like crazy on Facebook -- that three were issued today, and that we should all have our visas by the end of the week. After it's issued, we should be departing the day after! I don't know how things will actually play out, and I don't want to get my hopes up, but being in Spain by next week would be amazing. I thought I would have to go to Spain's consulate in Chicago to pick up my visa, but now I'm not sure. I was looking forward to going to Chicago, because my mom and I were going to spend two days up there together as bonding time before I'm off to the other side of the world for ten months, you know? I guess we'll just have to figure out something else to do. We both just want me to be in Spain as soon as possible.

Shout-out to Caroline from Kentucky who knows exactly how I've been feeling. She's still waiting for her visa too. About a week ago on Facebook, she said, "My life is a shallow pool of loneliness. Everyone goes to school and I sit at home and watch Friends all day. I need to be in Spain." I don't know about you, but that sums it up for me! Except her Friends is my NCIS. Did you know that Friends and NCIS are on TV pretty much all day? And That 70's Show!  Anyways, I think you get the idea . . . I'm going kind of crazy and am somewhat depressed, but I'm receiving an excellent lesson of patience at the same time.



Well that's about I got. Hopefully I'll be writing to you soon about a departure!

Here's hoping,
Josie

And now, a word from Mark Twain.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain

I usually don't make many New Year resolutions. However, at the beginning of this year, I set a goal for myself to make the most of every opportunity that I receive. Twain really does say it all up there - we'll probably be more disappointed by the things that we don't do than by the ones we do! So I will continue to keep my goal set earlier this year in mind throughout my time in Spain. Hold nothing back, embrace life. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Still in Iowa

Hello devoted readers!

It's already been more than two weeks since my last post! I'm still in Iowa, but the past two weeks have been pretty exciting/fun/boring/tiring/stressful/busy/sad/happy . . . emotions all over the place! (Not necessarily in that particular order, but close.) Let me fill you in.

On Saturday, August 27th, I had my going away party, and it was pretty awesome if I do say so myself! I wasn't sure if people were going to show up, and I've come to hate goodbyes, but it ended up being a really fun time for all! I was overwhelmed by all the support and love, and I'd like to say thanks to everyone who came out and was part of such a special night! Your support means the world to me. I feel so blessed to have you in my life and I'm going to miss all of you SO MUCH!! <3



The delicious cake!




My crazy friends I'm going to miss like crazy!




More friends!





Friendzz





And a good bonfire, complete with s'mores!



September 2nd, the following Friday after my going away party, was my original departure date. However, my visa wasn't ready by then so that didn't happen.  I was pretty disappointed, but with all the visa complications, I wasn't too surprised. This past week though, was extremely stressful. Up until two days ago, I'd had no update on my visa status since August 13th. All I knew was that Spain had a new visa law that required minors to be granted special permission from Spain's government to apply for a visa, and once that was granted, one could apply for their visa as usual. I was going on three months of just waiting for my visa to be ready, so I can go!! I began to doubt if I'd ever be granted the approval, or if I'd ever get to Spain, or if I'd have to start school late and be the girl who was supposed to go to Spain but was still...here. Even though I'd been told that things happen, delays weren't unusual, I was beginning to panic. All the outbounds from my Rotary district (there are twelve of us in all) were in their host countries, except for Matt and me, and we didn't even know when we'd be getting our visas.

Then, two days ago happened! Remember what I said a couple posts ago about one email changing your exchange? Well I got one of those two days ago! Apparently the Spanish consulates in the U.S. interpreted Spain's new visa law wrong, and we don't need any special permission granted to apply for a visa! My paperwork has now been submitted to the consulate and is being expedited! Once my visa is ready, I'll pick it up in Chicago, and be off to Spain shortly after! I'm hoping that my visa will be ready by the end of next week. Oh happy day!! You, my friend, are reading the words of a girl who will be in Spain VERY SOON!!! My school in Spain starts on September 15th, and inbound orientation in Madrid is September 22-24, so I'm hoping I can at least make orientation!

For now, I continue to sit at home while everyone is at school/work. At first, being at home while everyone was gone was super weird. Now, two and a half weeks into the Newton school year, it's pretty much normal. Things have been quiet around here. In fact, the other day I could hear my phone vibrate upstairs, from the basement! It gets a little boring, but I usually find something to do. Since the beginning of summer, I've gone to cross country practice, and I've gone to the two meets we've had so far. What can I say, I enjoy the team, the running, and it gives me something to do every day that is solid, routine. There is always something that can be done! Making more pins, packing/repacking, studying Spanish . . . It sort of feels like an extended summer, but without siblings until 3:30 pm on weekdays. Right now, I'm on a terrible sleeping schedule, hence I type this at 2:45 in the morning. BUT, that won't really matter when I get to Spain since I'll most likely be the Queen of Jet Lag, and time will mean little anyways.

Peace out,
Josie