Thursday, January 1, 2015
Host Family Update!
みんな、こんにちは！Today I found out a lot more cool stuff about my host family! Not only do I now know their names and other basic information, but I finally know what they look like. They seem like a really nice family! They also have a big black dog that is super cute. I'm more excited than ever! They've also got a piano and they're really sport oriented, so I'm excited about being able to participate in all sorts of family activities with them. I hope to start writing in Japanese more on here because let's face it, I really need to practice. I'm gonna start brainstorming host family gifts and picking them out as soon as I can!
Friday, December 26, 2014
Long Awaited News!!!
Hello hello! I'm so sorry for being M.I.A. for so long, but I've been very busy trying to get all of my affairs regarding my exchange to Japan in order! The good news is that all of the work I've been doing hasn't been for nothing; everything is finally falling into place.
Number one on the list of good news: I've finally fundraised a sufficient amount of money to pay for my exchange, through both my banana bread fundraiser and some letters appealing to businesses and distant family members. I will be paying my tuition in full very shortly. I'm really thankful that so many wonderful people have lent me a helping hand, whether family, friend, or stranger! Even AFS employees and volunteers have reached out and helped me in my efforts.
Second on the list of news: I went to my pre-departure orientation a few weeks ago, right before the start of winter break. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot! I met with two other exchange students who were going to Japan on the year long program with AFS, as well as a Japanese exchange student who is currently in the USA. I really connected with my fellow students, one of which I had known previously, the other of which I had just met at the orientation.
I've also received my domestic and international travel logistics, and my trip to L.A. for the gateway orientation has been completely planned out and solidified. It's all very exciting!
Third and last on my list of good news, this is possibly the greatest: a host family has chosen me! I will be residing in Saga-shi on Kyushu and to Saganishi High School. They are the Hisano family, and I have a mother and father, as well as three siblings(two sisters and one brother). My sisters are 16 and 22, and my brother is 20. I'm very excited to have a sister that will be attending the same high school as me!
This concludes my general information dump, but I'll definitely be posting more now that the ball is actually rolling and I'll be spending most of my time studying Japanese instead of fundraising and the such.
Bye!
Number one on the list of good news: I've finally fundraised a sufficient amount of money to pay for my exchange, through both my banana bread fundraiser and some letters appealing to businesses and distant family members. I will be paying my tuition in full very shortly. I'm really thankful that so many wonderful people have lent me a helping hand, whether family, friend, or stranger! Even AFS employees and volunteers have reached out and helped me in my efforts.
Second on the list of news: I went to my pre-departure orientation a few weeks ago, right before the start of winter break. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot! I met with two other exchange students who were going to Japan on the year long program with AFS, as well as a Japanese exchange student who is currently in the USA. I really connected with my fellow students, one of which I had known previously, the other of which I had just met at the orientation.
I've also received my domestic and international travel logistics, and my trip to L.A. for the gateway orientation has been completely planned out and solidified. It's all very exciting!
Third and last on my list of good news, this is possibly the greatest: a host family has chosen me! I will be residing in Saga-shi on Kyushu and to Saganishi High School. They are the Hisano family, and I have a mother and father, as well as three siblings(two sisters and one brother). My sisters are 16 and 22, and my brother is 20. I'm very excited to have a sister that will be attending the same high school as me!
This concludes my general information dump, but I'll definitely be posting more now that the ball is actually rolling and I'll be spending most of my time studying Japanese instead of fundraising and the such.
Bye!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Banana Bread Fundraiser~
Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've posted(once again, I got distracted and never got around to blogging :s) Anyway, I promised that I'd write a little bit about the fundraisers I've been doing, so here you go!
Recently, I've started a fundraiser based on selling homemade baked goods---specifically, banana nut bread! I make and sell the bread myself---two pound loaves with cream cheese frosting for only twelve dollars! Here's a picture:
Recently, I've started a fundraiser based on selling homemade baked goods---specifically, banana nut bread! I make and sell the bread myself---two pound loaves with cream cheese frosting for only twelve dollars! Here's a picture:
So far I've made maybe a little over a hundred dollars in profit, but I hope to make at least a couple hundred more before I run out of the motivation to keep up the fundraising... so yeah! Just thought I should keep everyone updated on my progress.
In other news, I'm finally figuring out how to use a video camera and I may or may not be starting my youtube soon(finally!). I'm also thinking of registering to take the JPLT4 test in December, so I'm trying to find the time to study Japanese a lot more than I did before!
I finally finished all the scholarship applications, and I'm anxiously awaiting a reply from Lions', Rotary, and maybe a couple more(Kiwanis and Optimus). I'm really banking on the fundraising and scholarships though, so I hope I'll be able to get at least a little bit of support.
I'm hoping for the best! Thanks for everyone's support!
P.S. If anyone can, I'd really appreciate it if you could donate to my AFS fund on the widget on the corner of my blog~
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Good news and lots of progress!!!
Wow, a lot has happened with my Japan fundraising and trip plans in the past month and a half!
Not only did I manage to turn in my application a quite a bit earlier than the deadline, but I also managed to organize several fundraisers and start my applications for the scholarships that AFS offers aspiring ambassadors. However, that doesn't mean I'm not still looking for all sorts of new ways to raise the tuition for my exchange!
I recently got a part-time job that's helped me bring in a little bit more money--I've only got about $13,000 left to go on the tuition itself(not counting the expenses outside of it).
I successfully organized a bottle drive in my community(twice!), and I plan to do another one again soon! I've also gotten several donations from family and friends, and I'm super excited about the support that I've received so far.
I've also decided to do a baking sort of fundraiser, one that utilizes my cooking skills and a family banana nut bread recipe(with homemade cream cheese frosting). I haven't really gotten many orders yet, but so far I think it's going well and I'll be successful if I can really get myself out there with it. I'll be posting a couple pictures of the bread and some descriptions of it in a couple days, so stay tuned~
I've also decided that I'm going to start a youtube channel soon, so when I do I'll post the link on here. I don't plan on only posting stuff about my exchange, but it's definitely gonna be themed around it. : )
Also, I'm gonna be periodically posting my progress of my Japanese language studies for practice and input! I recently met a Japanese woman named Akiko through my bottle drive(she donated and left me a cute little letter) who said she would help me with as much as she could. Needless to say, I'm super excited.
Everyone has been really supportive of me so far, and I've been really lucky to get as far as I have. I really hope that things will continue to go in my favor as the year progresses!
Not only did I manage to turn in my application a quite a bit earlier than the deadline, but I also managed to organize several fundraisers and start my applications for the scholarships that AFS offers aspiring ambassadors. However, that doesn't mean I'm not still looking for all sorts of new ways to raise the tuition for my exchange!
I recently got a part-time job that's helped me bring in a little bit more money--I've only got about $13,000 left to go on the tuition itself(not counting the expenses outside of it).
I successfully organized a bottle drive in my community(twice!), and I plan to do another one again soon! I've also gotten several donations from family and friends, and I'm super excited about the support that I've received so far.
I've also decided to do a baking sort of fundraiser, one that utilizes my cooking skills and a family banana nut bread recipe(with homemade cream cheese frosting). I haven't really gotten many orders yet, but so far I think it's going well and I'll be successful if I can really get myself out there with it. I'll be posting a couple pictures of the bread and some descriptions of it in a couple days, so stay tuned~
I've also decided that I'm going to start a youtube channel soon, so when I do I'll post the link on here. I don't plan on only posting stuff about my exchange, but it's definitely gonna be themed around it. : )
Also, I'm gonna be periodically posting my progress of my Japanese language studies for practice and input! I recently met a Japanese woman named Akiko through my bottle drive(she donated and left me a cute little letter) who said she would help me with as much as she could. Needless to say, I'm super excited.
Everyone has been really supportive of me so far, and I've been really lucky to get as far as I have. I really hope that things will continue to go in my favor as the year progresses!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Going to Japan!
Hello! My name is Elizabeth Pelava and next year I will be leaving my hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan to study abroad in Japan for one year with the AFS Intercultural Programs. I have loved Japan ever since I was a little kid and I am ecstatic about being given such a great opportunity to learn Japanese, live with a Japanese family, and immerse myself in a culture very different from the one I grew up in. I can't wait to share culture and experiences with my family and friends in my host country.
I grew up in a family split between two cultures: American and Russian. Through my exposure to two vastly different cultures and languages, I have developed a thirst to see and experience more that the world has to offer, and I simply can't get that sitting around at home. I have always had a keen interest in East Asian cultures, and through my love of martial arts, foreign language, and a little bit of Japanese cartoons I decided that Japan would be a fascinating place to visit. Lately, I've been doing a lot of research and interacting with any Japanese people/things in my community to really let the idea of me going to a place I've loved for so long sink in!
I hope to get back from my year studying abroad speaking Japanese fluently and with an array of multi-cultural experiences to share with everyone back home. It'll be wonderful to teach my family and friends all about the Japanese language, culture, and much more. Later, I hope to contribute to my community through volunteering with AFS to help others achieve their dreams.
I am working very hard to cover the cost of AFS program. I take up odd jobs in the community and work part-time, depositing all that I earn straight into a savings account for my trip. I am also planning many fundraisers, such as bottle drives, bake sales, and a multitude of others. I am particularly excited about my plans to host a little piano concert/dinner party of my own. I've always loved to play the piano and cook, so this'll be a very good experience for me. My family is very supportive of my efforts, but I am afraid that they alone will not be enough to get me to Japan.
I have joined the AFS sponsor an AFSer program, which is an online fundraising tool provided by AFS to allow potential sponsors to make easy, secure, and non tax-deductible contributions to my AFS program fee. I know the going is tough for everyone right now, but even the smallest amount will be a big contribution to helping me live my dream.
To sponsor my AFS program, please click the Donate Now button to make a non tax-deductible contribution directly to my AFS program account.
I grew up in a family split between two cultures: American and Russian. Through my exposure to two vastly different cultures and languages, I have developed a thirst to see and experience more that the world has to offer, and I simply can't get that sitting around at home. I have always had a keen interest in East Asian cultures, and through my love of martial arts, foreign language, and a little bit of Japanese cartoons I decided that Japan would be a fascinating place to visit. Lately, I've been doing a lot of research and interacting with any Japanese people/things in my community to really let the idea of me going to a place I've loved for so long sink in!
I hope to get back from my year studying abroad speaking Japanese fluently and with an array of multi-cultural experiences to share with everyone back home. It'll be wonderful to teach my family and friends all about the Japanese language, culture, and much more. Later, I hope to contribute to my community through volunteering with AFS to help others achieve their dreams.
I am working very hard to cover the cost of AFS program. I take up odd jobs in the community and work part-time, depositing all that I earn straight into a savings account for my trip. I am also planning many fundraisers, such as bottle drives, bake sales, and a multitude of others. I am particularly excited about my plans to host a little piano concert/dinner party of my own. I've always loved to play the piano and cook, so this'll be a very good experience for me. My family is very supportive of my efforts, but I am afraid that they alone will not be enough to get me to Japan.
I have joined the AFS sponsor an AFSer program, which is an online fundraising tool provided by AFS to allow potential sponsors to make easy, secure, and non tax-deductible contributions to my AFS program fee. I know the going is tough for everyone right now, but even the smallest amount will be a big contribution to helping me live my dream.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this! I would greatly appreciate it if you forwarded this to anyone who might be interested in sponsoring my AFS experience. Keep checking back here to read any updates on my progress and to hear about the cool experiences I have once I am actually in Japan!
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