Sunday, July 25, 2010

Offically going to Japan

So, I will officially be going to Japan! I will be south of Tokyo and going to a Protestant school...which is...weird. I've never gone to a christian school, or a privet school. Not to mention Christianity is what..1% of Japan's entire population (majority being Shinto and Buddhist). And also, I'm Catholic. So it will be interesting for sure.
I have two little siblings too. One is 1 and the other is 3.
Oh! and My host father is an English teacher at the middle school. My host mother is a stay at home mom (maybe this means I'll get some awesome bentos!)

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Accepted to Japan--waiting on a host family

"Hi Kristine,

Congratulations! AFS-Japan has just accepted your application!

Next, AFS-Japan will match you with a host family. This can be a complex process and may take some time. It is common for host family information to arrive during the month prior to your departure. So, if you don't hear right away, don’t worry, this is normal. Once we have confirmed the details of your host family placement, they will be available on your AFS Account, so feel free to check there for updates.
Warm regards,

Student Services
AFS-USA"

(SCORE!)

Monday, March 8, 2010

RE: AFS!

I just realized how robotic my first post sounded. SO:
My name is Kristine! ( although I have involuntarily learned to respond to Christina, Kristen, Krissy, chrysanthemum, and sixteen because it sounds so similar) I am otherwise known as BD, big dogs, CG, country girl, POC, pack o' CG, amazing horse, and whatever else my friends decide to add to this list. I just turned 17 recently. I am taking Japanese and Chinese now and my friends think I'm suicidal for doing so but what can I say! it's interesting to me! I play soccer (goalie) and lacrosse (midfield). I also love skiing and snowboarding and I work at a ski resort (convenient!) I love tea. Coffee smells great but tastes like dirt and bitter grass no matter how much sugar and cream you put in it. My favorite fast food restaurant is Swenson's. I always get a double cheese burger, cheddar jalapeno tater tots, and a milkshake (either cherrylemon or cherrychocolate). If I don't read at least a half hour before going to bed I tend to be pretty cranky in the morning. Also if I stay up past 12:30 there is no way on earth I will wake up to my alarm. My favorite season is spring/summer. I feel best when the sun shines into through my windows and the wind outside is slightly cool after the rain. I have an extreme dislike for UGG boots and any off brand boots that look like them.
I want to go to Japan to study abroad. Japan just draws me like no other country. I could not picture myself in Germany or France. I want to experience going to school on a crowded train, taking my shoes off at certain times and socks and shoes at others like some sort of foot-to-floor ritual. I want to ride a bike EVERYWHERE. I want to try every kind of drink in the various vending machines you can find on every street corner. I also want to see how American schools compare to Japanese schools. I want to tell my future friends about America and my friends back home.
I'm nervous about standing out too much (A tall blond girl from America...not exactly where's waldo) I'm also nervous that I will be forgotten back at home. Also, I have been in the same school system all my life, I don't know the basics of switching schools...not to mention in another country and language. I'm also worried I will in some way shape or form insult someone unintentionally.
These are all just half worries. I don't even know if I have been accepted yet!!! However, I know that these worries are in some way exciting. What an awesome experience to get to worry about trivial things like this. The average high school girl worries about wearing the same outfit twice in a month while I worry about public baths and misreading the train schedules. There is something wonderful about that...

Fundraising!

Here's to the beggining of my adventures fundraising! I've started out selling books that I no longer read. They are avalible on Amazon.com (for a darn good price). I will be adding more books later as well as other things lying around my room collecting dust. Every little bit can help even if it is just online garage sale pocket cash!!! :D

LINK: http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/storefront/index.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sellerID=AX15MQES6JPS1

Sunday, September 6, 2009

AFS!

My name is Kristine. I'm 16 years old and a junior in high school and I'm applying for AFS student exchange. I want to go abroad with AFS because I want to know more about the world other than my little hometown. By going with AFS I hope to learn more about the country I am sent to and share my experience with people at home. Also I want to share my own culture with the world. I need help financing my experience because I realize I am only 16 and cannot, as of now, get by on my own. I will be doing my own fundraising and working however I realize that I may need a boost. I plan on working a winter job at the ski resort as well as fundraising in my free time. I also plan on working towards a scholarship! To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn button!