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Let me just start by saying this: I typed almost this entire entry using my Spanish  keyboard and kept wondering why the words continued to change to words that I had no idea the meaning was. That was why. The Spanish keyboard is helpful when you are typing in Spanish, not English. 

ANYWAY, today was my lucky day. After hours of confusion and many cancelled appointments. I finally have gotten my visa. Unofficially of course. Today was appointment at the Spanish consulate and it was the easiest thing ever. We literally walked up to a window (to a VERY nice looking Spanish man I must add) and we handed him the papers he asked for and boom, I had my visa. Not officially though. He said that we were successful and that my passport containing the visa would come in the mail in 3 weeks. HALLELUJIAH. The visa process was soooooo complicated with collecting papers and trying to book appointments and everything, but when it came down to it, it was just a 10 minute confrontation that made the whole process seem pointless. All in all, I am super happy and I leave in 34 days. Ahhh it will not come soon enough.

Lilly

Momoka from Japan

So somewhere along the way in this crazy process, I somehow convinced my parents that it would be a good idea to host while I'm away. I mean there will be an open bed so why not! My host sisters name is Momoka, and she is from Japan. She will be arriving here on August 15th, about 2 weeks before my departure. We have emailed and talked and I am SO excited to be able to meet her and hang out with her before I leave.

If you are reading this, I suggest that you try your best to become a host family. I was lucky enough to receive my family more than 3 months before my departure, but I still have friends that don't have family. I understand how nerve wracking it is, and I also know how freaking awesome it feels to open up the email saying you received your host family. You can be the reason that someone's day is great, and even better, you can be the reason that an exchange student's year is great. Do it. Go for it. Your student will be eternally grateful for you, and I'm sure you will be eternally grateful for them. Once a family, always a family.