Anticipating

Hello everyone!

My name is Oliver Nolte, and I will be going to Japan for a year starting in March through the organization, Youth for Understanding. I applied for the James Bradley Peace Foundation, along with full tuition in case I am not accepted for the scholarship.

Now I know this post may be somewhat unnecessary, but I just felt that I should start an introduction to my new blog NOW, while I am still an infant to the entire blog concept. I kind of want to see how I improve over the next year and a half in my blog skills.
I very recently made this blog yesterday actually, as an act of procrastination to avoid my English homework. I received the punishment however, by staying up until 2 AM finishing my reading of Huck Finn. I had a Geometry test today as well, and, well....goodness, I wonder how I will deal with Math in Japan. It is by far my weakest point in academics.

When I arrived home today, I actually talked to several other YFU applicants and recent alumni by way of facebook, who just went to Japan this summer/past year. It was very fun, and felt great to be able to talk with other eager applicants who are dreaming about Japan as well. I actually spoke with a particular applicant for quite a while today through facebook Henry!!!!), and we discussed the application process and acceptance. I have a small anxiety with the thought that I may be on the waiting list, and as a result may end up not being able to go to Japan. With all of the preparation and effort I have put into this ambition, being "rewarded" with denial would be beyond depressing. Right now, going to Japan is my main motivation, and the thought of being able to live in Japan for a year is what currently drives me in...academics.
I will try to stop worrying though, AND HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET :D

Another fear I currently have is the thought of going to a Japanese school. As of now I have read ABUNDANT blogs of YFU exchange students in Japan, and just reading their posts of the first adventure into a Japanese school is enough to make my body all tingly. Goodness gracious! Making an announcement in front of a ton of students on a stage is a downright scary thought! Though actually, in a way I do hope that my school has me make the announcement/introduction as well, just to create some immediate prominence and have the students actually like, know what kind of person I am. This event should prove useful in making friendships! And then people will help me in Math!! Though I most likely will not participate at the same level as the other students in most of my classes (there is a language barrier), Math is a subject I will always need assistance with.

So these are my current thoughts a month before the truth will appear! This is all so nerve wracking! I...I WANT THE RESULTS NAO!!!

Thank you!