Last year, summer sucked. I took various classes during summer school. It seems like I have been in summer school FOREVER! In class, online, working, blah blah blah... I have not known a summer of going to the beach (besides the fact I don't like the sun...) but more than anything, I have been working full time during summer. Of course when you work, the weather is great during the week, and then it sucks on your days off. Why is that?
Anyways, back to How did all this start?
So, I am sure we meet people throughout life for a reason. I think that is why I met Angela. We became friends because we both talk so damn much. lol. For reals. Anyways, one day I was being my philosophical self after class and then Angela said she wanted to study abroad to Asia. I told her, put it out into the universe and it will come true. She probably thought I was crazy.
Anyways, back to How did all this start?
Somehow Angela convinced me to enroll in some random class I didn't even need in Fall 2009. Then she started talking about Semester at Sea. Did I mention that Angela talks a lot! Even more than I do (if that is even possible)... I was sick of hearing about it. I mean, it was expensive, unrealistic, so why in the world was she always telling me about it???????????????
One day, there was a SAS representative outside the Love Library. I stopped by on the way to class to pick up a brochure for Angela. I told the guy that my friend wouldn't stop talking about it, but that I could not afford it. He said, "Did you know that SAS has scholarships that can fund up to 50% of the program costs?" and then he offered me an application coupon to apply for free.
I went home, checked out the website and applied. A few days later, I received an email confirming my acceptance into the program. I was surprised! But then crushed when I told Angela because she said "You're not special. Everyone gets accepted.". Thanks Angela...
Then I remembered that my first management professor talked about SAS so I decided to go pay him a visit. The appointment last at most 15 minutes. By the end of our brief conversation he said I was "an ideal candidate for the program" and encouraged me to apply for the scholarships. That was back in November 2009. Finals came around, then I went off to Mexico to spend Christmas with Chava's family. I carried along the SAS scholarship applications, but never really did anything about it.
The ship came to San Diego in December. I signed up for a ship tour and took my mom. It took us forever to get on the ship because it was HUGE. I have never been on a cruise ship before. I don't think the ferry that goes to Coronado Island counts, or the row boat to Janitzio in Michocan, or the row boat in Xochimilco either. I was walking on the ship and watching the videos of students traveling around the world. I was sitting in the classroom, crying with emotion, while my mom sat next to me eating chocolate chip cookies. We continued to tour the ship, including the classrooms, dining area, lounges, rooms, and then the deck. My mom felt the wind against her face, closed her eyes, held my hand, and said, "You have to go on this trip".
In Jan. 2010 the professor emailed me and asked the status of my scholarship applications. I said, "oh they are a work in progress", which really meant, I hadn't even started working on them. I think I was trying to protect myself from being denied the scholarship. Afterall, I had never really applied for any scholarships in my life. So days and weeks went by and the scholarship applications would go to and from school with me, every single day.
Needless to say, I procrastinated on the scholarship essays, but did turn them in one day before the deadline. I started sharing my "dream" with people and putting it "out into the universe". I told myself, if I could obtain 50% through scholarships, I would go. And that is exactly what happened.
I received $2,000 in Work-Study to work in the ship's bookstore and $2,500 Seamans-Kruse Scholarship. I was also able to get an economy room, which is the cheapest available.
Angela started and completed her study abroad in Hong Kong by now. She has also traveled to Vietnam and Shangai. I have her postcards on my fridge as proof that "The universe is abundant and will provide". It is also a reminder that people come into your life for a reason. I'm glad we met, and that she never stopped talking about SAS. I would probably be working and taking summer school this summer if it wasn't for her non-stop talking about study abroad. In conclusion, thank you Angela.
There are a lot more random series of events, I guess I should have started journaling or blogging about it sooner. It's been a busy few months. Oh well, "It's a work in progress".
