Guess who's going to Japan?

That's right -- me! I can't believe it. Here's how it happened.

Two years ago I applied to the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund's Teacher Program which sponsors 400 teachers a year to visit Japan. The first year I wasn't picked. I was so disappointed. But, I applied again the second year and really made sure that this application was a winner. I had several people look at my application, especially the follow-on plan and was sure that I would be picked. As you can imagine, I was so disappointed to find out I was an alternate and because participants don't usually decline the opportunity -- I knew I would be writing an application for the third time.

But just a few days ago, I got an email. I figured it was JFMF letting me know the new 2008 application was available, but no. I read that I was no longer and an alternate but a PARTICIPANT! I would be traveling to Japan with the October 2007 delegation. Woo-hoo!!!

After several hours of pure joy, panic set in. Is my passport up-to-date? Can I get three-weeks worth of lesson plans done? Am I being Punk'd? Even though I am still in panic mode, the excitement remains. I have my paperwork filled out, to be mailed out tomorrow, and have filled out all the on-line forms. Even sent off my picture -- not the best but I will have a lot of time to practice my posing while in JAPAN!!

Luckily so many past FMFers have created wonderful sites that chronicle their trips to Japan. They have included photos of the schools, temples, the hotels, even the toilets. Yes, I need to work on my balancing as some toilets are the "squat" variety. But sushi? Not a problem here. Squid, octopus, tofu -- not a problem either. So keep your fingers crossed that the Department of State can get my passport back in time and that my lesson plans make sense. -- so with that I am off to create more worksheets :)