You Are The Weakest Link................. G O O D B Y E!

And here it is, the week of Final Exams. Everyone is in a frenzy, all of my friends that are graduating are posting their final grades Summa Cum Lade this Magna Cum Laude that blah blah blah... 

Meanwhile...

I'm trying my damnedest not to freak out! With only 30 days left until I move, 3 days until all my friends I started college with graduate, and 3 final exams remaining, I'm on the verge of a panic attack (well not really, but you get the gist).

Time is moving SUPER fast now. I have to make sure I see everyone off on Friday at the graduation commencement, party and laugh/joke with them one last time before they go on their journey into the corporate world, or graduate school, or whatever road life decides to take them down.... 

Between freaking out over finals, trying to get adjusted to German phrases and words a day it feels like I never have time for anything. I've never been one to complain (rather joke around than take things too seriously), preparing myself for a whole new life filled with adventures, obstacles, and the inevitable feeling of being overwhelmed has started to hit me, but not as hard as it will in July.

With that being said, time to get back to studying, I have an Operating Systems final in a few hours!!!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Time is Winding Down

so it's precisely a week left in the semester, Graduation (for my friends at least) is next Friday... Meanwhile I'm trying to get adjusted to all these changes and last minute tasks I have to complete. As well as brush up on my German skills (or lack thereof). Doing pretty good so far I must say. At least with comprehension. The only thing I'm really concerned about is making sure everything here in the U.S. is covered and accounted for by the time I leave in July. 

What makes things even more hectic is that I'm moving out at the end of May to go back home for a couple weeks. After that I'll be going on a little vacation (while still studying heavily). So overwhelmed right now. >__<

Words I Live By...

"Find life experiences and swallow them whole.... Travel. Meet new people.. Go down some dead ends and explore dark alleys. Try everything. Exhaust yourself in the glorious pursuit of life."

                                                                                               - Lawrence K. Fish

What Does It Take To Be Successful?

Today I was browsing through my News Feed on Facebook and came across a very inspiring video. It really encouraged me to continue striving for the best. It was unbelievable. Watching this video made feel that I am only one step away from my goals, I just have to keep pushing through. Most people find inspiration through the Bible and the word of God, I draw my inspiration from elsewhere. I choose my own path and destiny. There are NO limits to what I can accomplish if I just believe in myself. I consider myself to be pretty successful (at least that's what my friends always say), but to me this is just the icing on the cake. So for any challenges that I may face in the future...
 I'M READY. 

How bad do YOU want it?

"A Dolla Makes Me Holla, Honey Boo-Boo Chile..."

I've come up with an awesome plan to raise money so I would be able to have funds while spending the next year in Germany. So check this out....

I've created a PayPal "donation" button that can be seen just to the right of this post. The link takes you to a page where you can donate to support my journey. You can donate as much or as little as you want. It's totally up to you.

I also figured if I could get all of my Facebook friends and Twitter followers to donate at LEAST $1, then all my problems would be solved. Although I know I probably have a better chance of getting my own show on TLC like that Honey Boo Boo girl, but I have to be worth at least a cheeseburger off the dollar menu, right? RIGHT?

Language Tools

As of right now, my level of German proficiency is at an all-time low. I've asked so many people on where should I even begin learning Deutsch (the language of the Germans). I've compiled a list of the following language tools both online and hardcopy books.

• Rosetta Stone - I've just started using this really, so the verdict is still out on if it lives up to all the hype. So far so good. The lessons are pretty lengthy, but definitely worth it. Once the semester ends and my schedule slacks up a bit, I will be able to dedicate loads more time to using this.
• Duolingo - Allows you to learn languages completely free, without ads or hidden charges. It's fun, easy, and apparently scientifically proven to work effectively. I read the reviews, talked to experts at the language, even current participants, and they ALL have said the same thing "USE DUOLINGO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE". I started a few weeks ago and caught on quickly, but I swear if I go more than a day without practicing using this source, my brain goes completely blank lol (especially with grammar).
• Pimsleur - a method used to learn a language easily, like Rosetta Stone though it's totally not free and with my budget I'm exhausting all free resources.
• Deutsch Heute - textbook referred to me by one of the other participants in the program who has studied German for a couple of years. I found a digital copy online and printed out the first chapter already. The lessons are pretty easy and it comes with an audio book too so you can practice pronunciation!
• English Grammar for Students of German: The Study Guide for Those Learning German - I just ordered this from Amazon.com recently (it was only $4!) So i'm excited to see how this will turn out. 

Along with all these resources, I've switched my Facebook & Twitter to Deutsch. Even my iPhone is following suit. 

I have about 108 days until I leave for Germany, that may seem like a lot of time to most, but for me that's not enough!!! Between school, work, packing, workouts, and everything in-between, I've got to find time for as much as possible. 

Driving Overseas

This morning I applied for my International Driving Permit. Although the program partially pays for transportation around the city I'm going to be living in, there may be situations where I will need to hop in the car and just drive! I also plan to do a bit of traveling between countries within Europe and who knows when I might need to a vehicle there?

Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into 10 foreign languages. (Noted from travel.state.gov)

I looked it up on AAA's website and saw that it only cost $15 and is good for an entire year from date of issue. You can stop by your local office to get it done, or you can mail it in. 

All I needed was:

• current valid Driver's License
• 2 passport photos (they can take your photos there if need be)
• and the registration fee of $15

If you are ever planning on doing some extended travel I suggest getting it as it was suggested to me. Although you can't apply for it more than six months from when you are planning to leave the country, so keep that in mind. Since I leave on July 31st, I made sure to have it effective August 1st. 

Countdown to Germany

Well...... it's been a little over a month since I first received that amazing news about my acceptance into the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals Program. I am BEYOND thrilled for this opportunity! I have about 16 weeks until I leave for Deutschland for a year!. About 3 of which are the last of my current semester at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL. I am currently a Computer Science major in my Junior year of college. I was able to get out of my lease, so I'll be moving from Huntsville back home to Birmingham at the end of May.Starting July 31st I will be spending an entire year in Germany. This year is composed of:

• 2 months of intense language classes

• 4 months at a German University

• 5 months working an Internship phase

This will my very first time leaving the country, not to mention I'll be leaving for an ENTIRE YEAR I have a TON of things to prepare for. I plan to visit some people during the summer, get some last minute traveling done, save an unbelievable amount of money, and try to work on my German language skills (or lack thereof). I just need to make it through this semester without going insane.

The latest struggle was to defer my student loans.  I heard that some of the participants have been struggling with their deferments because this program isn't exactly considered a "study abroad" program. So instead of having our loans put on hold, they can either be deferred due to economic hardship or for an academic reason if the student holds a bachelor degree before the time of the necessary deferment. Or the loan can be put into Forbearance. If forbearance is taken, then I will be responsible for paying interest while the loan is put on hold... while I'm in Germany. :(

At the moment I am freaking out about how can I survive the year WITHOUT A JOB! We were told that we would need a minimum of €3,500 (or to be on the safe side $5,000) that participants should be prepared to spend during the program of their own money. Right now I'm nowhere near that amount, so I've been trying to apply for every scholarship, pinch every penny, and find alternatives to get extra cash. At this point I'm even willing to take donations lol.
    HELP ME SURVIVE IN GERMANY!!!!!

                                                 >>><<<