I did it. I submitted my online application for the JET Program. All I'm waiting on are my reference letters and I can mail it out my application in full.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this. >_< Saying that I am excited is an understatement.

I've been absent for far too long.

Sorry about that. >_<

As usual, I'm absurdly busy. But things are going surprisingly well. I'm happy in this moment and terrified for what the future holds. But you know, that's normal, I think. My classes are great. I think I'll describe each of them briefly. :D

Europe & the West: Ancient Civilizations : A really great class with a fantastic teacher. He has a loud voice and personality, openly gay and not quiet about it, and by far one of the best teachers I've had at this college. I already had him for E&W: Modern Europe and opted to take another of his classes. He's not one to hold back his opinions, but somehow doesn't impose them on you either. But the way he presents history, it's hard to argue with the conclusions he draws. He also doesn't try to pretend like he knows something for sure if he doesn't. He has an extensive scholastic background (Ph. D!), but never allows history to be boring.

Japanese III: It's hard. Not gonna lie. But I feel like I can read, write, speak, and understand so much more than I ever could Spanish. Taking Japanese III has inspired me to become truly trilingual. Oh, it'll definitely happen.

NewsBeat: That's right, I'm shooting a live newscast broadcast throughout campus. The way we run things behind the scenes is actually the way things are done in the professional world. It's a very practical class. Nerve-wracking, exciting, stressful, and so much fun. I'm learning a lot. Maybe I'll be good at this whole Technical Directing thing. :)

Narrative Production & Editing: Bane of my existence. Seriously. Narrative just isn't my cup of tea, I've realized. I think I'm more cut out for the broadcast world. But the people in the class are great. And I'm not an avid drinker, but hitting the bar after our very late class has become tradition and just what everyone needs when producers fail at their jobs. Our ultimate goal is to get our teacher to come out with us.

Remote Television Production: My favorite class and I wish it happened more often. We meet every other Saturday and on some of those, we have real remote shoots out of our very own HD remote truck. Now this truck is kiiiind of a big deal. ABC7 uses it to shoot all of the Chicago parades (and we all know how huge those are) and Sears and Kenmore recently leased it to shoot the end of their nationwide cooking contest. :D It hardly feels like class and feels more like real work.

And if that wasn't enough, I've also made the decision to apply for the JET Program. For real this time. I just need to get a few things together and I'm set. And if I'm chosen, I'll teach English in Japan for at least a year. I know, not TV. But who cares? :D I figure, why not go for it? If I'm rejected, I'm rejected. If I get to go, I better start training on that young Japanese food. いただきます！