How's Fundraising Going?

How's Fundraising Going?

It's going great! My mom and I finally decided to do an raffle. The auction is going to be for a Black, 16GB, iPad 2 (new of course). We're going to sell raffle tickets the 1st of February through the 15th. The tickets will be $20 for 1 ticket, $30 for 2 tickets, and $100 for 7 tickets. I'm hoping this generates a lot of revenue for my trip! I'm hoping to raise at least $300 (after the cost of the iPad has been subtracted out). That would be a great thing! 

How's your auction going?

It's also going great! So far, I've raised $116 with it! But the auction isn't quite over yet; it ends tomorrow at 5pm (CPT)! I'm really glad my first auction is going really well, in my opinion. I was kind of afraid it wasn't going to do very well, but so far so good! 

~Ganbarimasu!~

Progress!

Progress!

Things are going along nicely! Got a report back from AFS about my widget with a list of the people who donated, (Thanks you guys!) and now I'm filling out Thank-You cards like crazy! It's great though; I'm happy to thank each and everyone who donates (and even any one who thought to donate) individually! And I finally got an online auction up to help raise money that way. That's going nicely as well. It started Wednesday, and already I've raised $91! Wow! I've got a few more ideas for fundraising that I'm excited for as well.

What are these ideas?

Goodness! Where to start? My (fabulous) mother came up with an idea for a raffle. We're not sure what to raffle off yet, but we picked up the tickets for it!  Unsure of when it will be, but it shall be soon! (Probably in February) And I've got an idea for having a Japanese-style dinner. I could sell tickets for it and serve traditional Japanese dishes (that'd I cook, of course!). I even have chopsticks I could use for the dinner as well! I could explain the dishes and (or) the culture and why I want to study in Japan. Details need to be worked out, of course, but an idea is a great start! 

Application Status: Submitted!

Application Status: Submitted!

My application for my study abroad program is finally submitted and on its way to being accepted! I probably won't know for a while, but that feeling of accomplishment is just too overwhelming. I feel like a wave of anxiety has just flown out of me, and it feels so wonderful. The priority application deadline was January 31st, 2013, and I felt like I was in a rush to get it submitted on time. And the $900 deposit was crazy. But now I can relax a little bit. Of course, there are still a few things I need to complete (Get my passport, raise enough money to cover the rest of my tuition, etc.) but that's not a problem.

Does the deposit count towards your tuition?

Yes! (Thank goodness, right?) The $900 deposit absolutely counts towards my tuition! Now I only have $11,600 to go! It's a lot, I know, but I'm positive I'll get it by the due date!

When is the due date for your tuition?

The final date that my tuition has to be paid in full is May 2nd, 2013! It feels like such a long time away, but I'm sure time will evaporate quickly. I just need to work my tailbone off to reach my goal! But, I know I can do it with the help of my supporters. 

Thank you all so much for your support!

How Are Things Going?

How Are Things Going?

Things are coming along nicely! So far, with everything I've sold, I've raised $535! It's getting there! Of course, this is without the generous donations in count. (P.S. Thanks to each and everyone who's donated and who's thinking of donating!) I need to raise the complete $900 deposit for my application (without the widget donations; *the widget donations go to my total tuition.) before I can send in my application. It's a lot of work but it's worth every bit of it! 

How's your application coming along?

Oh goodness! It's a bigger task than I imagined. I'm progressing very quickly with it though! I only have a few things left to complete on it! I just have to send in my request form for a passport, finish my self introduction, and upload the parent statement my dad had to write about me. After all of that's complete, then I'm fully on my way towards the magnificent country called Japan! 

Will you continue your blog in Japan?

Of course I will! And I will try to upload as many pictures as I can when I'm there! That way all of you can experience my adventure as well!

Don't forget that I'm always open to any questions you guys have! :) Just comment on a post and I will absolutely answer back as soon as possible! Thanks once again!

~Arigato Gozaimasu~ 

What's New?

What's new?

Lots of things are new! I've finally got the widget up on my blog for people to donate to! It's fabulous and makes things a lot easier. Just click on the "ChipIn" button on the blue widget and it transfers you to a Paypal link. From there, all you need to do is select an amount to donate and voila!

How much have you raised so far? 

So far, with the few things my mother and I have sold, we've raised $270. It's a small amount compared to the final amount that I need, but it's a stepping stone on the path of success! I've also had a few people donate some money as well, but I haven't unofficially received the donations yet. That's all right though; they'll get here soon enough! 

How else are you raising money?

That's a fabulous question! Along with asking for direct donations, I am asking for any items I could use for an online auction. And as soon as I get approximately twenty items or more for the auction, I am going to set it up! I've got a few things so far, mostly book series. But I'm hoping people will be generous and donate for that either instead or in addition to a monetary donation. Either way, a donation is a donation and I'm very thankful for any donation I get no matter how small or how big it is! And of course, I thank each and everyone who donates immensely! 

Why Study Abroad?

Why study abroad?

I'm interested in studying in a different country because it is a full of cultural experiences that just don't compare to what I would experience from textbooks. You can read a page about one person that lives opposite side of the world, but you can't experience how it is without being there. 

Why Japan?

It all started at the end of my eighth grade year. This high school teacher came into my school and was offering an after school program to learn Japanese. It sparked my interests right way. It was only offered for a short amount of time, but that's all it took to find the language I would fall in love with. As soon as I hit high school, I didn't hesitate to sign up to take the Japanese 1 course as my foreign language. I thought it would be a simple "learn the language and only use it to talk to my friends," but I soon discovered that just learning the language wasn't enough. I wanted the culture, the experience. Right then and there, I decided I would study abroad in Japan. I've taken every step I could to prepare myself for this journey. I studied hard and got top scores in my class. I did all the little things I could to help develop my language skills: I student aided for my Japanese teacher during my study hall, I immediately joined the Japanese Club my teacher ran after school a few times a month, and even attended the Japanese Olympiad even though I was unable to compete at the time (I was a first year in the language, and only second years and above could compete.) I even tried to befriend the Japanese exchange student who was in my English class. I surrounded myself with the language and as much cultural knowledge I could. Freshmen year passed, and soon I found myself as a sophomore still striving for my dream. I continued to learn the language and culture. Soon, I found myself becoming the Vice President for Japanese Club and competing in Japanese Olympiad. My team ended up coming in second over all in our division. Time passed quickly and now I've reached my junior year of high school. I've taken all the steps I could to get where I am now. And now all that's left is it to raise the money to go.