Okay, Okay, I realize I'm terrible

All right!

I'm sorry!

I don't know how to tell you I'm sorry! The past couple months have been CRAZY! You have no idea. I'm terrible at blogging; I've just never really had the motivation for this. I mean, I'll probably look back and want to slap myself and say, " Savannah, you idiot, why didn't you blog," so I'm going to try really hard from now on to be. . . sort of regular. I guess. I don't know.

ANYWAY!

Onto my wonderful, crazy life!

I must say that I am falling more and more in love with this country every day. What most people don't realize is that India is NOT just about the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, the other trendy, tourist destinations or the sarees that you idolize and glorify while in another country. India is truly a mixture of modern and ancient, blending these two factors into nearly every scene you encounter while in this country. Ancient is in the potholed roads that I travel everyday to school. Modern is in the smartphones that I see in many hands. Ancient is in the women traveling the road with huge pots balanced precariously on their heads. Modern is in the rush and zoom of crazy traffic, each car, truck, auto-rickshaw, bicycle rickshaw, pedestrian fending for themselves. Old technology mixes with new technology. It coexists side by side, pushing and shoving the other, but mostly existing harmoniously. Because it's life. You can see a half-naked child running to his mother in the slums while an expensive, sleek new car blurs by. You can see a women dressed in a trendy western outfit walk past an old women who is wearing an indigenous, yet brightly colored saree.

Anyway, I've done many things, been many places, and buried myself in school work. School has definitely been different. They have tracks, which I am unused to. There's the Science track and the Commerce track at my school. There's normally four ( Science, Commerce, Medical, and Humanities) but since my school didn't have the Humanities track, they made me my own little schedule. For two months, I have been taking Economics, Physical Education, English, Psychology, and Sculpture. Very, very easy classes. Except, perhaps, that Physical Education has a bit to much theory to my liking.

Also, if you ever go to India as an exchange student, you might want to be a little bit wary: they REALLY like to show off their exchange students. I swear, I've been thrust into more competitions in my life here than I've ever done in the United Sates. So far, I've done a spelling bee, a literary quiz, a knowledge quiz, and been signed up for countless ones in the future. It's not my fault! They don't even ask you; they tell you you are doing it. No choice, really, in the matter. They also will randomly have you called up on stage; should you have a fear of being randomly called up on stage, without any preparation, be warned. They will ask you to talk about what you did in Rakshabandhan, whether you thought Indian spellers are better than American spellers, or to tell a little bit about yourself. I have a fear of going up on stage unprepared, so this floored me completely. And it won't go away, either. So, should you do something for a special Hindu holiday or visit someplace, be expected to  talk about it on stage.

There was one really funny incidence in which I was walking in the hall, and this  teacher I don't even know comes up to me. She says, " How do you spell your name?" I tell her and make sure she's got it right. Then, as she's walking away, I ask her what she needs it for. She's like, " Oh, I'm putting you down for Model United Nations." Then walks away. Doesn't even ask me, just says that she's putting me down for it. Now, don't get me wrong, I've always wanted to participate in MUN, but I thought it was extremely funny how she went about it.

Anyway, I'm off! 

Finally Here!

So. . . . where to start? I could start with our flight mishap ( the one that caused us to fly to India two days late), or I could start with the welcoming surprise of our host families at the airport and the days following after, or I could possibly list the details of our Gateway and National Pre-Departure Orientations. Or, I could just write about my love of the Harry Potter series. But chronological order is best, no?

Gateway and National Pre-Departures:

I guess I'll start with the preparations that got us here. Undoubtedly you have heard of – or been to – the National Pre-Departure Orientation. Lectures of relevance to the YES Abroad program and studying abroad were given, and seemed to have formed a mix between informative and fun. I personally enjoyed them ( though some did get to be a little long) and felt very prepared at the end of the day.

After the National PDO took place, India ( me!) and Thailand groups were whisked away to a hotel to begin our Gateway Orientation. I can safely say that we all passed with flying colors. With such small groups, it was very enjoyable and close-knit. This is a shout-out to Zoe, who was THE best group leader in the entire world! Zoe, you must have an old soul; you answered all of our pressing questions in a relaxed, knowledgeable, wisdom-y way, and we couldn't have asked for a better leader!

Flight Delay:(

Now, after that, we were supposed to be flown away to our respective countries, but things didn't actually turn out that way. Untimely weather caused our flight to be delayed so we would miss our connection to Delhi, but rescue came in the form of the most awesome customer service agent named Davis. We were with him for TWO HOURS as we tried to reschedule our flight. Suffice to say, we eventually were rerouted through Germany, but had to spend the night in a hotel.

What followed were the longest twenty-one hours of my entire life. A seven hour flight from Dullas to Germany. A seven hour layover, where I ordered the famous German sausage that starts with a B ( which I am two lazy to look up right now. Bruatworst?). And upon which was followed by a seven hour flight to Delhi. And upon that flight, I was asked at least three times by my neighbor whether or not I had a boyfriend. After each time I told him no, he asked why not. And I kept telling him I was too busy to trifle with such things. And he kept asking me why not. And so on. Eventually, however, I believe I got him to rethink the American Stereotype: all teenagers have boy/girlfriends. I hadn't even touched Indian soil and I was already helping to break down stereotypes!

Host Family Meeting:

Initially, we had no idea what to expect when we landed. We were two days late, and had been told that there was a possibility that someone was to take us to our Orientation. However, that was not the case. Imagine our surprise then, when our host families met us as we exited the the airport! For those of you worried about the awkwardness of meeting your host families, who are scared that they might not like you, who are worried about impressing them – don't be! My meeting with my host family was simply amazing; we even joked and laughed. It helped that Pranik was the chatterbox, always thinking of things to say when the conversation died down. Your host family WANTS you to be there; they want you to be comfortable. They want you to be a part of the family. So of course they will want to like you, and (unless you give them express reason not to )they will. 

Life in Three Days:

So, I guess I have a unique situation on my hand. Well, I'm not claiming I am very special ( because I'm really not), but my host family is a bit different. Initially, I believed that there were only three people in my host family: Pragya ( host mother), Pravin ( host father), and Pramay ( host brother). I believed that because that was the only information I had received from AFS! And when I say the only info, it was limited to their NAMES and EMAILS! Just that! But it turns out I have a much larger family welcoming me into their arms. In addition to the three above, I have a younger host brother, a host uncle and a host aunt, and a host grandfather. I also live in two places, a five minute walk from each other.

At the moment, everything is very new and very shiny. The food has been fabulous ( I especially like Roti, a sort of homemade bread, and Paneer, a cottage cheese thing, please forgive the spellings), and everyone has been super-duper nice to me. They always ask me if I am okay, or offer me things to drink and eat. They are definitely trying to fatten me up!!

Anyway, all in all, everything has been fabulous. Well, the heat and humidity I could do without, but I'm learning to roll with the punches. 

And now, I shall leave you with a Harry Potter Quote: 

 It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. — Albus Dumbledore

Incredible, Inspiring India

If you didn't know, there is this amazing program called Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad. What this program does is help bridge the distance between countries with significant Muslim populations and the U.S. The U.S Department of State pays for full scholarships to go to one of the countries selected. The twist in this lovely story? Only sixty-five or so kids in the entire U.S. get chosen.

So, we've got our exciting premise; the first challenge one must overcome. Time for the protagonist to begin this journey.

The adventure begins during the end Christmas break. Studying abroad has always been my interest, my love, and my secret obsession. Every culture fascinates me, intrigues me to the point of an unhealthy attachment, but here I am, stuck in this little town. I had been looking into several exchange programs, browsing the web, looking to maybe even jump start college, when lo and behold the YES abroad program pops up on my screen.

What followed were perhaps the most hectic days of my life. It was a race against time as I filled out the lengthy application, because I wanted it to be perfect. I accidentally deleted my essays two times!!! I had perhaps eight days to fill out the application, in the midst of basketball practice, games, and school, but I worked hard at it, slaved away into the late hours of the night.  I finally submitted it at 2 am on the day it was due ( which was the following midnight I believe). Talk about a time crunch!

The next few weeks were busy. I had finals; I had tests; I had STATE basketball; I had volleyball club practices and day long tournaments. Amidst all of these busy things, my application lingered in the back of my mind, popping up at random moments to fill me with anticipation and excitement. If I was totally honest, too, I also doubted myself. I would go back and check out the application, look for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors. There wasn't anything I could do but wait. . .and wait.  . . . and wait.

And then, I was selected as a SEMI-FINALIST! When I read the email, I screamed. (I have recently discovered that when in extremely exciting situations and big accomplishments that I scream and run around like a little girl. :) I was going to Chevy Chase, MD, to participate in the IPSE!

The IPSE was incredible. Everyone was so friendly, so kind, so polished, so sophisticated, so intelligent, so fun! I felt like I could go up to anyone and strike up a conversation. Here we were, all wanting the same thing, all excited that we were there, all happy for the person beside us, and we were instant friends! I just had the best time, and I met people that I'll stay in touch with. It was just. . . I didn't want to leave! I just wanted to stay in Chevy Chase and stay with these people that I could empathize so much with.

But, all good things must end.

And then came the worst wait. I was literally on eggshells the entire time, bouncing up and down, checking my email, looking at the KL-YES abroad Facebook group. I analyzed my Group Evaluations and Interview a thousand times, trying to remember my exact words. My club volleyball team didn't even distract my focus on the pending scholarship, and sports usually clear my mind. I couldn't distract myself from how bad I wanted this.

April 12th, 2013 began as every other Friday. In my small town, because of low funds, we don't have school on Friday, but our teachers make it up by cramming our brains full of info from 8-4. As sensible as could be, I had filled out an application for YFU ( Youth for Understanding), and I had an interview that morning at ten thirty. YFU was my backup plan in case I didn't get this scholarship. The interview actually went well, and I went home feeling content. The rest of the day I lazed around, reading, doing a bit of homework, until suddenly my dad comes up to me, a few papers in his hand. He sits next to me on the couch, smiles a little, and then looks away. My stomach immediately drops to my toes when he doesn't give me the papers when I ask for them. Failure, failure, you didn't get it, races through my mind. He reads aloud, " Dear Savannah. . ." and pauses for an extremely long amount of time. By now I freaking out. . . until he finally hands me the papers and this is what I see:

Dear Savannah,

 

Congratulations!  We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a Finalist for a 2013-14 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad scholarship for study in India!
INDIA INDIA INDIA INDIA!!! YES!!!

As noted before, I have discovered I go completely crazy when important things happen. I started running all around the house, screaming incoherently, babbling about India, and I was so excited that I started doing splits on the floor and sliding all over the place. I was so happy, delirious, exhilarated; this just means so much to me.

This is just. . . .incredible! I will spend my junior year abroad in India! India! My first choice country! This is so crazy, exciting, amazing! I am so grateful for this opportunity. I just. . . I can't use words to express how excited I am without using repetitive ones. I just want to say thank you, YES Abroad! Thank you so much!

But this story isn't over yet. I hope to continue this wonderful adventure, share with you my experiences and challenges that come with being a Student Ambassador.  From here on out, I will most likely undergo serious character growth. I will learn how the world really works, finally understand what it means, open my mind, and discover who I really am. I will be integrated into a culture completely foreign to my own, discover the similarities and differences that exist between us, and I will work towards making this world a better place.

And I will leave you now. . . . with a Harry Potter quote:

 " It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -Albus Dumbledore

The Introduction of. . . Me?

Hey Everyone! So. . . . this is my blog to state the very obvious. While I've got the basic idea behind blogging, you, the person reading this now, will witness my shaky navigation of such a foreign concept ( to me anyway). While there are those of you who have cellphones, who text everyday, who know the behind-the-scenes technical aspects of computers, who are Facebook addicts, who are intimate with the goings on of blogging. . . please bear with me.

Random side note: (Though, if I did turn out to be terrible at blogging, it would be a very sad day indeed, as I am aspiring to be some sort of writer.)

Up until now, I've had no reason to spill every detail of my life. Fairly mundane, my accomplishments are restricted to being an 'A' student, playing on varsity volleyball and basketball teams, and converting oxygen into carbon dioxide. That last one, I tell you, has been my most outstanding accomplishment thus far.

So. . . before I get to the goods ( which have totally changed my life and which this blog is all about), there are a few things you need to know about me.

1. Perhaps the most important: My name is Savannah Woods.And my name is literally a contradiction of itself. Savannah: treeless plain. Woods: well, a forest. So basically my name translates in to a Treeless Plain Forest. And that is fairly ironic in my opinion.
2. Actually, that's pretty much it. Refer to Numero Uno if you have any questions.
3.Can you guess where I'll be spending my junior year?????!!!!!!!!!