DST Causes Me to be Time Confused

Greetings readers!  (for the iota of you that exist, anyhow. ;D)

I've got some news and info for the usual periodic update; however, I don't feel that there's constantly exciting news to garner frequent updates, for now that is.

First off, it's nearly spring!  Well, that doesn't really count as news, moreso to common knowledge.  Nevertheless, it brings things (for lack of a better word, plus it rhymed =D).  Winter's my favorite season. While I'm not ecstatic to see it leave, the longer daylight and warmer weather is welcomed.  Still, it also serves to me as a reminder of the current time.  It's March 14th and spring is already less than a week away.  Daylight savings time has already started and the deadline for the full AFS application was originally scheduled for the first.  Time is starting to feel short on me and I still have yet to raise the remaining amount left to guarantee my departure.  Yikes.

Let's segue into the Full Application.  As I said, it was originally due on March 1, 2011.  AFS called and emailed in early February as a reminder.  I knew it was drawing near, but I kept pushing it off.  Then it was mid-February and I began to speed up on getting it completed.  Fortunately, it was around that time where they emailed me on the extension until the 25th of March.  That was relieving.  Yet, it also encouraged even more procrastination.  That was until I read an email concerning the France country call.

This call was held four days ago on March 10th.  Actually mother also received the email about the call, I was informed of it thanks to her as there was an error with my email address leading me not to receive it.  She thought it meant we were actually going to call the country and nearly flipped on me as she considered the international rates.  Haha, but it was short and domestic.  I learned a number of things from the country call.  For one, I'm not the only guy applying to France.  Why is this news to me?  Well, because in all the previous webinars and other opportunities of interaction (so to speak) with other AFSers, only girls attended.  Additionally, nearly every blog I have read of France (save 1) was written by a girl.  Besides that, it also surprised me the number of people applying.  Again, in all other occasions of interaction with fellow AFSers, there were relatively a few number of me.  I was happy that there were more people than a small group wanting to go.  However, once the AFS volunteer mentioned that there were a mere 12 spots left in the year program, it didn't exactly raise my spirits.  I still had to finish that full application and hand it in along with the deposit.

Thus, this past weekend I frantically finished my application and handed it in.  (Not exactly the dramatic effect I planned to build up, but I have unfinished homework on my desk.)  It really is a considerable weight off my shoulders, but I know I'm probably still not complete with it as they told us it's very common they ask us for clarification or something of the sort.  I'm really glad the $900 deposit wasn't a problem.  I paid that from money I've earned myself, woo!  I still have around $2,000 left over of my own money.  I think that $3,000 a respectable amount to have earned in only a few months of simply tutoring.

As of now, it's time to play the waiting game as I await a response from AFS with regard to my application.  I'm perstistently yearning to be one of the remaining 12 that gets to go.  Cross fingers!

- Gello