N-n-now that that won't kill me...

...Can only make me STRONGER

Realize that I have posted thrice in a row and this is my fourth posting in one day. Why? because I can. Why? because I have all the time in my hands... and WHY?

I have been sitting in front of the computer blogging since 9 a.m. this morning and the time now is 12.05 p.m.. 

To answer that question above, I am supposed to be in England, getting ready for my summer school adventures at this very moment as I blog but nope, I am sitting in my friend's apartment looking out the window with a view of freezing cold, gloomy and rainy Chicago this morning, eagerly waiting for 3 p.m. to arrive. Nothing much to do.

The United Kingdom Border Agency recently changed their immigration rules. As a Malaysian, I have to apply for a student visa to study in the UK this summer. I submitted my applications to the British Consulate in Chicago with all relevant documents before I left for Texas about 3 weeks ago, waited and waited, praying hard that I will hear from them soon enough. Few days before I left Texas, I received an email telling me that my visa is ready to be collected. Of course I was excited to return to Chicago.

Unfortunately things didn't go that smoothly. I came back to Chi-town to realize that my visa got denied and it doesn't attract a full right to appeal. The reason it got denied was not quite clearly stated in the refusal letter and I was not allowed to question their decision. I was stuck. These past few days have been quite a mess for me. I've booked my air tickets, paid for tuition and accommodation in England and now... I honestly did not quite know what to do. I just wanted to break down and cry. It is during times like this that I felt the importance of having my family with me. Being halfway around the globe from them, alone in this foreign land, I felt absolutely helpless. I talked to my parents over the phone and there is just so much that they can do to help. They were worried but there's nothing they could do. I was left all by myself. Its time to be INDEPENDENT. Good thing my best friends from high school were around. They stuck with me and I couldn't thank them enough for their support and all they have done to help me get through this. 

For the past few days I have been running in and out the Wrigley Building - that's where the British Consulate is located, and communicating with my school in England. Apparently, there was nothing wrong with my visa applications according to my school and I am convinced that I did everything right. My visa should not be refused. I was supposed to fly out yesterday evening but because of an erroneous assumption by the entry clearance officer, as found out yesterday morning after an argument with them, I had to cancel my flight and paid an extra $100 flight cancellation fee. Today at 3p.m I will find out if my visa is ready to go. (fingers crossed)

So, yesterday evening, instead of sitting comfortably in my flight to London, I ended up following a friend to her volunteer site in Viet-Town. She works with an after school day care program at the Chinese Mutual Aid Association on a weekly basis. Seeing those little kids, listening to their laughter and cheeriness immediately made my day 5 times better. I had tons of fun in the evening despite realizing the fact that I could be on my way to London then..

It was shocking and unexpected yet a great learning opportunity for myself as I learned who are those friends who truly cared when a crisis like this happens. I learned how to stay strong and not collapse in times of trouble. Most importantly, I learned how to be independent. Its hard being away from home, but at the same time, the lessons learned and the experiences gained are invaluable. 

I'm glad I chose to study abroad. If you ever have the chance, don't be afraid to spread your wings and fly... I chose to do it and I have no regrets. I am sure you can do it too.

Check this out: http://www.units.muohio.edu/internationalprograms/index.php