relieved

so, i got my visa back today - i have to give the consulate credit...they processed that sucker in under three days. i'm 7 days until leaving, finally packed for the most part, now all i have to do is wait!

Waiting on that darn visa!

When AFS said this whole process was 99% waiting, they weren't kidding. I sent my visa in last wednesday, and i hope that the consulate will send it back to me in time...i'm 8 days till leaving! Besides that, I got my host family, and they're all very nice people. I'm in Durbanville, about 20 minutes outside of Cape Town, and I'm going to Curro private school - they said they'll take me camping as soon as I get settled in there! Very excited

Host family!

Alright...so everything went from moving at a glacial pace to...the space shuttle lifting off - nice analogy huh? What am I talking about?? Well, in the past week, I've gotten information about my visa that needs to be applied for, my host family, and the school that I'm to be going to! I'm not placed in Johannesburg anymore, but in Durbanville, Western Cape, which is a suburb of Cape Town - 15 minutes from the city and the beach! I'm very very glad things are starting to move along. What I'm waiting for now is the visa support documents from AFS. Once I have those, I'll throw those into my visa application, send it the consulate, and pray to God my visa comes back in time! Hmph - whoever invented visas is...how to put this nicely...stupid. Oh well. HOPEFULLY everything works out well!

Waiting on the family...

So, I got news a couple days ago that I'm to be staying in the Johannesburg area...however, still no host family. Hmph. Just got all my medical stuff squared away - all I'm waiting on now is the visa and host family information. Hope it comes soon!

It's official...

so, i got official news yesterday from South Africa, stating that I'm accepted into their program. i got a big packet, with a bunch of cool stuff in it too. still don't know who my host family is...bummer. i'm anxious to find out. Ali's wedding is coming up...until next time, Paul.

Elections, and orientations...

so I can't believe that the presidential elections are only 12 days away! I've been paying very close attention to both Obama and McCain's campaigns...personally I like Obama's views and ideas a little better (although I'm not too keen on Biden) but hey, I'm not hating on McCain either - and I like Palin. Reguardless of who gets in office, it's safe to say that he'll have a pretty hefty workload. Annnnnnnnnnnd...Anne, my local volunteer called today and we have scheduled for eveyone to meet December 13 for a predeparture orientation! Woot! For me, that's very exciting, and the whole going-away-for-half-a-year thing is really starting to hit me. So, I'll post again if I receive an update with AFS and South Africa.

The Pampered Chef Fundraiser

happy Patriot Day!!! i'm proud to be an American!! and...i raised $500.00 doing the PC fundraiser!!! Thank you so much to everyone who supported/purchased. It means so much to me!