"A dream turned into reality, the 3rd time around": PROLOGUE (KIZUNA BOND PROJECT)
I’ve heard of the Kizuna (Bond) Project before, but I've never thought of applying for it.
I figured I’d be busy on my last semester in the University, having an Event Class and so.
Around two weeks before the deadline of submission of the requirements, my best friend, knowing how much I wanted to go to Japan, encouraged me to apply, to just try. I was not really sure, I was taken aback having read the qualification that the applicant must be an active member of an organization and have participated in volunteer activities before. First of all, I wasn’t really an active member of the organization I’m into since I want to prioritize my studies, though I’ve attended a lot of seminars and trainings, and I’ve only done a few volunteer activities in my University days. Comparing it to my best friends’, I have no chance at all.
Reading the activities that lay ahead, especially the home-stay, and with the desire of going to Japan, I tested my luck and personally handed-over the requirements at the National Youth Commission Office together with my best friend. I was in doubt, never once convinced myself that I’d be qualified, but I knew I have written my heart out on the essay so I hoped. It wouldn’t really hurt if I tried then failed, right? But I was afraid, and all I thought of was, “At least I tried.”
November of 2012. I’ve heard from my best friend that 2 of her friends got accepted on the 1st batch of delegates. I thought it was the end of my little hope, but it seemed that only batch 1 participants have been notified, and the other 2 batches’ participants are yet to be announced.
I constantly checked my email and NYC’s site for any announcement. I’ve also read the comments from the different people getting impatient to see if there’s anyone who posted that he got accepted for batch 2 or batch 3. There were some who have been calling the office for updates, then was told that the results would be ready in the first week of January. I found it funny when someone posted something with “why prolong the agony”, and the others saying the same thing. Obviously, everyone’s getting anxious of the results already because around 4 months have passed since the deadline.
February 6th of 2013. It was our Midterm Examinations week. Having no schedule, I was at home and in the middle of playing Wii Just Dance 3. I’ve heard a motorcycle park then a man from a courier came into view. I thought nothing but my father’s passport as it was supposed to be delivered that week. It was my mother who went outside, and she said “Galing NYC oh. (It’s from NYC).” I was in shock, of course, I even screamed in disbelief, and found myself talking in a different language again. I stopped for a moment and thoughts like “What if it says I didn’t get accepted?” flooded me.
I got my hands on the letter, and yes, my hands were shaking terribly, afraid on whatever may be written on the letter.
I opened it and was absolutely gobsmacked, tears started falling out, the first sentence echoing in my head.
And so I thought, “Finally! This is it! This time would no longer just be a layover in Nagoya or Narita, I really am going to Japan now.”
Despite of the busy school schedule, having a lot of outputs to be accomplished and with our event drawing closer, what mattered to me the most was, going to Japan is no longer a dream...
Day 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I figured I’d be busy on my last semester in the University, having an Event Class and so.
Around two weeks before the deadline of submission of the requirements, my best friend, knowing how much I wanted to go to Japan, encouraged me to apply, to just try. I was not really sure, I was taken aback having read the qualification that the applicant must be an active member of an organization and have participated in volunteer activities before. First of all, I wasn’t really an active member of the organization I’m into since I want to prioritize my studies, though I’ve attended a lot of seminars and trainings, and I’ve only done a few volunteer activities in my University days. Comparing it to my best friends’, I have no chance at all.
Reading the activities that lay ahead, especially the home-stay, and with the desire of going to Japan, I tested my luck and personally handed-over the requirements at the National Youth Commission Office together with my best friend. I was in doubt, never once convinced myself that I’d be qualified, but I knew I have written my heart out on the essay so I hoped. It wouldn’t really hurt if I tried then failed, right? But I was afraid, and all I thought of was, “At least I tried.”
November of 2012. I’ve heard from my best friend that 2 of her friends got accepted on the 1st batch of delegates. I thought it was the end of my little hope, but it seemed that only batch 1 participants have been notified, and the other 2 batches’ participants are yet to be announced.
I constantly checked my email and NYC’s site for any announcement. I’ve also read the comments from the different people getting impatient to see if there’s anyone who posted that he got accepted for batch 2 or batch 3. There were some who have been calling the office for updates, then was told that the results would be ready in the first week of January. I found it funny when someone posted something with “why prolong the agony”, and the others saying the same thing. Obviously, everyone’s getting anxious of the results already because around 4 months have passed since the deadline.
February 6th of 2013. It was our Midterm Examinations week. Having no schedule, I was at home and in the middle of playing Wii Just Dance 3. I’ve heard a motorcycle park then a man from a courier came into view. I thought nothing but my father’s passport as it was supposed to be delivered that week. It was my mother who went outside, and she said “Galing NYC oh. (It’s from NYC).” I was in shock, of course, I even screamed in disbelief, and found myself talking in a different language again. I stopped for a moment and thoughts like “What if it says I didn’t get accepted?” flooded me.
I got my hands on the letter, and yes, my hands were shaking terribly, afraid on whatever may be written on the letter.
I opened it and was absolutely gobsmacked, tears started falling out, the first sentence echoing in my head.
And so I thought, “Finally! This is it! This time would no longer just be a layover in Nagoya or Narita, I really am going to Japan now.”
Despite of the busy school schedule, having a lot of outputs to be accomplished and with our event drawing closer, what mattered to me the most was, going to Japan is no longer a dream...
Day 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10