What has happened so far?

I have been thinking for a while and though I know that thinking can be dangerous, I pressed on and came to the conclusion; what has gone on from when I first received word of the existence of the People to People program until now? Well, after more thinking, I realized that you who are reading this now don't know what's been going on either. To correct this vile injustice that I have created (I think I might be ready for the SATs now) I will take you all back in time to see what exactly has transpired from the months of September to March and WHAT REALLY IS GOING ON!!!

Mid-Sept. 2004---> I receive word that I have been nominated to take part in the journey of a life time to the mysterious and ancient land of Japan. I respond and say that I am interested.

Sept. 22nd, 2004---> In the mail, there was a small post card inviting me to an informational meeting for people looking to attend the 'People to People: Discover The Land Of The Rising Sun' on October 2nd, 2004 at Westwood High School in Mesa.

Oct. 2nd, 2004---> My Mom and I attend the meeting and learn what is going to happen during this 2 week long trip in June to Japan with 39 other students and 5 leaders. As soon as we get home after the meeting, I apply to join the trip via People to People's website. http://www.StudentAmbassadors.org.

Oct. 5th, 2004---> I receive, via snail, mail that P2P has received my application and that I would be contacted again later to tell me the location of my interview.

Oct. 6th, 2004---> Feeling very positive and hopeful that I will be accepted, I pose for my passport photos.

Oct. 7th, 2004---> I apply for my passport.

Mid. Oct.---> I select October 21st for the date of my interview at Sundance School in Peoria.

October 21st, 2004---> I attend the interview and make such a great impression on the interviewers that they accept me into the program as soon as the interview is concluded.

October 23rd, 2004---> I receive a letter congratulating me on my acceptance into the program. I also receive a guide to fund raising for the trip and literature about Japan.

October 29th, 2004---> My mother receives a letter from P2P congratulating her on my behalf, as well as a list of all future meetings and their locations.

November 19th, 2004---> My passport arrives in the mail today and I couldn't be happier. This trip gets to be more and more official everyday!

December 5th, 2004---> First of 6 manditory meetings is held today to prepare all of us for this wonderful trip to Japan. The meeting lasts 3 hours but time flies by as we go over the history of the People to People program and discuss what type of homework we will be doing over the next 6 months. Some of which includes journal entries, a large project, and current event reviews.

January 9th 2005---> The second meeting is held. As we are all wished Happy New Year, we are patted on the back with a sticker that is part of a game where the object is to figure out what is written on your back. After that, we all join hands and create a human knot that we later have to untangle. We have more homework and I have a project, on the history of Japan from 1926 to the present, due at the next meeting.

February 13th 2005---> The third meeting is upon us and after 13 hours of work, I complete my project just in time to take part in another ice breaker where I'm a frog. This meeting is fun and everyone admires my project. Last meeting I had an opportunity to look at other student's projects where I realize the road they took to the meeting was very bumpy, and some people are procrastinators. Anyway, we turn in our homework and learn more about what is going to happen while we're in Japan, like taking a ride on the bullet train, and visiting the Peace Park in Hiroshima. What an exciting meeting!

March 13th 2005.---> This meeting was great because we got our first true taste of Japanese Cuisine - parents purchased or prepared Japanese food and brought it to the meeting for all of us to share. The food was okay but I think with a supply of beef jerky, I will survive my trip to Japan. The last of the projects and homework is turned in and far and away, with at least 2x the amount of work put into my project, my project was the best. (Photo of my project will be added here later). The next meeting is a community service project and I am looking forward to participating.

That is the bare bones of what has happened so far. I will come back and update this later and add facts such as; receiving a letter from a member of England's Parliament congratulating me on my acceptance into the program (can't find the letter right now). That is it for now, stay tuned for more coming up soon.