My date with the U.S Consulate

Back in December I announced that I had finally applied for my American VISA for my NYC trip... a shameful 7 months since I first made traveling to the U.S official... ha! Since getting the VISA process rolling it has been go go go, the amount of work to do for it is insane. Forms upon forms to fill out, documents to gather, fees to pay (so many fees to pay...) and all this doesn't even guarantee me a VISA! It is simply the process to apply for one. All this work and money could have honestly been wasted if for some reason my application gets rejected.

After going through the steps to follow in the application process I finally reached the climax... the step that would determine if this whole trip had the green light to go ahead or if it was to be stopped dead in its tracks...

It was time for the interview at the U.S Consulate.

I took the day off work and traveled by train into the city where the consulate resides. Despite the importance of the day I was surprisingly (and proudly) extremely calm and rather blase' about the whole affair, almost as if I knew that everything would work out. I arrived on time, had all the documents I needed... I was not like my usual anxious, fidgeting, nervous self when in important situations like this at all! Am I growing up? Or becoming better equipped to deal with life as I experience more of the world? Either way it was comforting to know that I am a little less likely to have a panic attack when I am over in the U.S ha.

In typical American fashion the place was heavily guarded and the first 15 minutes since arriving was spent at security checkpoints... which I guess is something I need to get used to? And in typical me fashion I managed to annoy one of the security guards within the first minute (accidentally nearly walked somewhere I was not meant to), so he was grumpy with me for the entire time. Another thing I need to get used to ha.

Nothing eventful happened while there, I sat around waiting a lot, showed a bunch of ladies behind counters my forms, they asked some questions, I paid even more fees... and about two hours later a lady with a thick American accent smiled and said these now monumental words:

"Well that's all done now. Congratulations Aaron your Visa has been approved and you will receive it in the mail shortly, have a nice day."

VISA approved - Check!

LivingItUp: Swing dance class!

Another post in my 'Living It Up While I Still Can' series where I try and do as much fun activities with friends and family as I can possibly squeeze in before I take off for hopefully a year abroad in New York City starting March 2012.

Three of my somewhat newly acquired friends Kane, Christine and Kate (not real names of course), attend swing dance classes which they really enjoy... they asked me to come along so I figured sure, why not. Got to live it up after all.

I had no idea what to think before we arrived so it really was a blind adventure. Thankfully my mate Brendan also got convinced to come along (they have been asking him to go for years ha), so that made it less awkward. Upon arrival we met a few new people and inspected the place, everyone seemed really eager to start which was a relaxing realization as it must be a fun class if everyone is that eager for it ha.

Long story short after feeling like an absolute clown for the first 15 minutes (and no doubt looking like one also), eventually when you start to get the hang of things it wasn't too bad at all. Makes for an awesome work out session, and everyone was of differing skill levels so you were never alone if you stuffed up the beat and had to wait until it finished and the next beat to begin before jumping back in again ha.

The teacher was really awesome and definitely knew what he was doing, watching him put all the different moves together fluently kind of motivated you further to try harder. Afterwards everyone was allowed to have creative time so each grabbed a partner and just danced however they wanted. I sat by the side and watched the couples (Kate looked incredible ahhh), and while I have no desire to be as pro as the teacher I could definitely see the appeal of at least being mediocre enough to be able to dance somewhat fluently with a partner. I could picture myself wanting to do that with my own future girlfriend someday.

So alas I gave it a go and it actually turned out to be a lot more fun than I originally presumed, so much so that I am thinking about doing it again next week.

Anything is worth trying at least once ;)

My honesty

Was she glad to see me? I have no idea. I didn't get much of a hello, although to be fair I didn't give her much of one either... she did however take one of my headphones out of my ear and tell me not to be anti-social in what I think was a joking matter. Which is something at least.

Seeing her felt like she never left really. I guess I have been pretty busy the last month or so that her 5 week absence overseas wasn't as much of an ordeal as I initially thought it might be. We kind of just picked up exactly where we left off. She laughed heaps at my jokes... sigh... makes me melt every time.

I just can't shake the feeling that we'd be awesome together. I picture it all the time, mostly without even meaning to. My want to complement her on how beautiful she looks, trying to think of stuff to say just so I get a chance to talk to her, constantly trying to make her laugh...

She brought me two presents from overseas... which I had expected to be honest as I brought her something when I came back from China, but still, just knowing that I was on her mind for at least a minute whilst she was away is a nice thought. I tried to say that I really appreciate the gift and that it means more then she knows... but I think I just said stupid stuff like I usually do when there is something important going on (like when I should be saying something nice and sincere to express how much something means to me for instance...).

I am leaving for New York City soon... I guess there is no point saying anything to her now even if I wanted to. Sigh. As always living up to the title 'Out of Sync'. Why couldn't I have met her a year ago. But then again, as I am leaving soon... maybe more risks is exactly what I should be doing now, it is the only way I am going to excel in this trip I think, why not start now? I guess in this instance I worry too much of the consequences... this group of friends that she belongs to is rather new, and I am finding every time I hang out with them (like tonight) I am regarding them with higher and higher value and importance each time. I can't lose them, no matter what.

They are all impressed and in awe about my trip to New York City. I hate that so much, seriously. I am not doing it to 'impress' people or to 'be cool', no, not at all. Hearing stuff like that, it adds too much pressure! I am already super stressed and worried about the trip as it is... and when I have got people going 'wow, that's so cool!' it just feels like they are relying on me and expecting me to succeed, and it makes failure even less of an option because if I don't live up to all these peoples expectations then the feeling of letting them down and in a sense, the shame of not living up to their expectations, would just be too much. I couldn't bare seeing their faces again if that happened.

I know I am doing this trip for myself, and only myself. It has been an idea I have had for literally years. It is an idea I know once I do it I will be the proudest I can ever be of myself. But I have to emphasize over that it is not to 'be cool', or to 'impress' people...

And despite all that, the number one person I am most worried about letting down, the person that fuels my great fear, that I will get there and realize it was all a mistake, and want to come home. For all the money spent, and the time planning, and the quitting of my job and the selling of my car, for it all to just end up being a complete waste of time and I'd come home after only a month and regret it all... the number one person I am worried about disappointing? Myself.