So in exactly 1 month I will be boarding a plane for my great adventure. Things are gearing up. I received a list of my fellow Czech travelers about a week ago. We have been using face book to ask each other questions and coordinate airport meetings. Since there is still a month to go this may be a bit premature but we are all so excited. They seem like a good group, though I can't identify who I will fall in with yet. I am also in the process of getting all my movies and shows off my computer so I can bring them with me to Prague. It slow going but I’ll get there eventually.  I decided that I will also take a bunch of books on tape, I have a feeling at the end of the day it will be nice to hear a voice in English.  the fear is also setting in , though it is not quite full-fledged yet, it is sort  of like a shadow that passes over me briefly when I look at Kyle or think about how much there is still left to do. Part of me feels like it is still too early to pack. The last time I went over seas I was packed about 2 weeks early... I think a month might be pushing it. But I have made a list of things I need to take...and wash... and buy and things like that. I have figured out what I am going to pack in to so now it's just a matter of doing it.   We still don’t know what housing we will be living in...it is actually starting to cause some anxiety on my part because people keep asking me, and then when I say I wont know until right before I get there, they get this look on their face like I am going to get there only to find that it was a scam and have to live in a cardboard box till I can beg enough money to buy a plane ticket home. But regardless I am still extremely excited. Everyone says this is going to be life changing. I am in the perfect place for a life changing experience.

I keep reading how great it's going to be and how much I'm going to change... I’m not sure I want to change... I mean I want to and this is the perfect time to do it; right before I go off in to the real world and work for a living. But what happens when I come back? Will people even know me? I don't know it just a thought...

on the brighter side I actually got a job, and for those of you who don't have nepotism on your side I’m sure you can sympathize with me. But I’m working at a day camp for girl scouts. I have been a girl scout my whole life so that’s like coming home for me. Camp starts in a week, and I am so excited. I’m looking forward to getting out in the sun and running around. Loosing some weight and I get paid 1250 for 3 weeks of work. You can't tell me that isn't a great deal! It puts money in my hand right before I leave so it should be really wonderful. Alright that’s enough quiet contemplation for now. I’m bored though so I bet I’ll be back tonight for some more somber thoughts... till then.

Regards
Julz

Ok so great news , (recap) I wrote to CIEE telling them that I was accepted in to another program. So out of competition or the goodness of their heart they accepted me as well.  So I talked to my parents and we decided to do CIEE. They just take care of so much for you. So the big decision is over!   I have to cover the difference in the cost but I have a savings so I’m sure it will be fine. So I chose CIEE and I got all the documents. There was a drama when I lost the most important document. I found it though. One document that I need for my visa is a Czech translated letter of acceptance form Charles U.  It is notarized by a Czech notary and has the Charles U seal, it is very important and impossible to replace. So in true Jules style I, mistaking it for a document from my other program (all the other program docs have the same University seal) it was mixed with these documents. I was frantic and searched the house. finaly with my tail between my legs I called CIEE and told them I was an idiot and they told me I may be out of luck. Then they said that they would send me a color copy and pray that that is good enough.  Of course as soon as I got off the phone with CIEE and had gotten a description from them what the document looked like I realized what had happened and found it. So my visa application goes over night to NYC to be processed today. UCONN was ecstatic to hear that I finally made a choice.  They were so upset about my indesision because it meant that we could not really do anything until i made up my mind. It also meant that I missed orientation. This is one of the reasons I like CIEE, because though I missed my school's orientation I have no fears because CIEE will orient me  better then UCONN could any day. So Monday I will pop in and fill out all the class dropping and housing dropping paper work then it will be officially official.  I will have my ISIC card and get my discounts on all my stuff and my visa will be on its way.  Prague will be so amazing. I’ve read so much about it and im going to pick up some of the CIEE reading list on Monday as well let the learning commence!  Then it's just the packing and the buying anything else I need and trying to make some money to have wile I’m there. Oh I just can't wait. I doubt there will be any new developments till august so if I don't write again that is why.  Now I'm off to process everything.

warm regards
Julia

well i was  excepted in to program number 2 about 2 weeks ago. i didn't  write about it because thats all i really could say. now things are getting ugly. time is ticking i need to get a ticket and a visa and helth insurance.  im not that ups set though because i am going to prague any way and i think the CUNI program may be better and cheeper!   it is all very frustrating because i need to get my visa. if you have ever tryed to do this my heart goes out to you.  you need notorized copies of  like every thing including proof of insurance, and bank statements and letters in czech  saying that you will be supoted wile you are there. it is insane!!!!  that's the good thing about CIEE  it takes care of all of that for you. they send you all the documents you need  and all you have to do is send them to the embasy. but for  something like half the cost i supose i can take care of everything my self.  i just need to desided CIEE or  CUNI  so i can know  who to put on the  visa App. and so i know i f i need to track down all the records and go to school to get classes apoved. its such a mess.  atleast i knwo im going now though.  i was  alot more  worried about it but now i just want to leave. i've read soo much and talked to so many people  i just want to be there.  pluse i kinda feel like  need a break from the boy.  he whent home yesterday and i was relived. he asked me to come to his house  ( 50 miles away)  tonight  and i made up excuses.  i love him but  i don't trust time and part of me wants to just go and find my own way.

it's  so cleche to do it in europe but then i never said I wanst cleiche. any way im really leaning twards teh CUNI program less  suport and  sturcuter but the same basic positives and  threre is this one really cool class that i really want to take hopefully i can get anthro credit for it. i may just pass/fail it and take it for fun. but it is an actual class where they just  take you around the country and teach you about the culture. you go to pubs and museums and you get credit. that sounds amazing to me. im just soo excited to go... only 3 more mounths... but ahhh soo much to do be for i get there!!!!

So i got my new passport this weekend and i am ready to start the grueling visa process. im very nervis about the whole thing. i also have been busy getting classes for CIEE Approved so that i can tell them what classes i want to take. i still have not heard from my other program which worries me. Finals are coming and i have to do well in them to meet the CIEE requirements. It would be nice not to be under so much pressure for finals but i will do what i have to. My Latin final gives me the most willies.  have all sorts of other things that need to get done before i leave. UCONN says they will not even begin to process my paper work and remove me from the college until i  fully commit to CIEE or  the other program which makes it feel less real. i have to go to the Dr on Wednesday to get all my check ups and shots up to date. so many  hoops to jump through i just want to be in and get everything ready and go!