Backtrack: The Fast and the Furious

AIESEC Trainees ready to match!

July 27 - Out of nowhere, I suddenly remembered Misty and her AIESEC experience. I searched for AIESEC Philippines, found the first person with an email address posted and typed away asking for information on how I can join.

August 2 - I got my first reply from the group. The person advised me that I am fit for their  traineeship program and if interested would please contact the MC VP for the Outgoing Exchange. I emailed the VP for Outgoing Exchange.

August 3 - I got a reply from the VP for the Outgoing Exchange and was referred to my LC, UP Diliman. The VP for Operations scheduled an orientation for me on August 4.

August 4 - My orientation was cancelled and was instead informed that the last day of application for the traineeship will be on August 5. If I still want to apply for the traineeship, I have to go to an interview the following day at the AIESEC office in Katipunan and accomplish the forms that they sent me over the mail. I said I am interested. They scheduled my interview at 4 PM.

August 5 - I was at the AIESEC office at Katipunan by 3:30 PM. My interview was over in less than 30 minutes. I GOT IN. I received my official emailed letter from the VP for Outgoing Exchange of my LC, UP Diliman, confirming that I was accepted. I have to attend the Ambassador's Day this Saturday.

August 7 - I was at Provident Village, Makati by 1 PM and was attending the Ambassador's Day with the other interns. I paid for my Application and Raising Fee.

AIESEC UPD and the trainees

August  11 - I attended my Matching Training at the cafe near College of Music.

August 16 - My form was officially raised in My.AIESEC.net and I am now free to match.

August 17-18 - I started applying. I got immediate replies from China, Japan, Cambodia, and Russia.

August 19 - I got an email from Turkey asking if I am interested to their TN. I said yes. I got a schedule for a Skype interview with them the following day.

August 20 - AIESEC Turkey was nowhere near the web.

August 22 - I got an email from the VP for Outgoing Exchange of Turkey apologizing and asking if we can reset the interview. I said fine. The interview was set the following day.

August 23 - The interview was at 2 PM. It went well. They want my AN.

August 24-25 - I was thinking and researching if I really want to go to Turkey.

August 26 - I sent them my AN. I got MATCHED!

August 27 - The VP for Incoming Exchange of Turkey got in touch with me.

August 28 - They sent me their AN and invitation letter.

September 3 - I went to the embassy to get visa requirements.

September 7 - I submitted my documents to the embassy.

A Leap of Faith

I call this a leap of faith.

I don't remember when or how it happened. I just suddenly had this firm resolve.

I am not sure where this courage is coming from. Could it be from my desire to run from everything and start all over again? From my constant hunger for history and culture? Or from my lifelong dream to visit Jerusalem? This is definetely not Jerusalem, but very very close to it.

Whatever it is, I am jumping in. I heeded the call of the voice within. I will leave all my apprehensions and what-ifs behind. I will turn my back for now to the responsible and sensible life that I should be living (but is nowhere near what I have now). I will just go ahead and soak myself in culture. I will throw caution to the wind.

I only live this life once and I'd better take my fill as much as I can.

I know this is what God wants me to do in His wonderful world.

With that....

Let's go TURKEY!