First vaccination done

Even though I'm terrified of needles I somehow managed to drag myself down to the KLM Travel Clinic and had some things explained to me about the vaccinations by a nurse. She was very friendly and sweet, so I wasn't that nervous. It also only takes about a second and I always make such a big deal out of it .....

That concludes the first successful vaccination of Hepatitis B! I've never actually heard of anyone having it, but maybe that's BECAUSE of the vaccinations ...

Well, gotta go back there in about one month but for now, I'm gonna focus on the music!

Moving right along, decisions, decisions, decisions

Not much news. I figured out how to best get the vaccinations, although how I'm going to do it all logistically is not very clear yet, but that will happen. On monday I intend to get my first Hepatitis B vaccination.
I'm going to go to the German embassy next week and get myself a new passport. Mine apparently expired sometime in May last year (wow ... long ago). I had like a thousand opportunities to apply for a new one in Germany, but of course I didn't think I would actually be going to the States! I always thought I had so much time for everything. Wow, what a slap in the face, and what a wakeup call!

Funny thing - I received an email today from Berklee about Housing. First of all, I'm so gonna live off-campus. They only have two-bed and three-bed rooms with no kitchen and no kitchen stuff allowed but a small fridge and small microwave, and anyone who knows me, knows I like to cook and eat! Living in the dorms I would have to go to the dining hall ... that is the equivalent of my own personal nightmare. So, one more thing I will have to take care of - a real estate agent that will show me stuff in Boston when I get there.

The preliminary date for my departure is now set to August 18th. I guess that two weeks before school starts I should be there and check out apartments. I hope I will find something to live alone ... I just like that so much more! But it's quite expensive .... we'll see.

The way it will probably work is that I move out of my place in The Hague by the end of June and find myself a summer job in July in Dresden. That way I will make some money. However, come to think of it, I will not get to see my friends at all anymore :(. On the other hand, some extra cash would be nice, too, like for some extra travel in the US. I would love to go see New York City and such places when I'm there! It's not all the time that you can go anywhere there ....

Still a lot to figure out! And trying my best not to completely lose my mind over them ... hail to the inventor of Yoga!

Over and out.

Vaccination craze

Okay, I know I'm moving to a new continent, but it is actually mandatory that I vaccinate myself against certain illnesses!!! I know I was living in a "civilized" country and I thought America was one too, but apparently it doesn't matter where you come from, you still have to do a few.
So today I made an appointment at the doctor's to vaccinate myself against Hepatitis B (that apparently needs three times), measles, mumps and rubella. Thank God the one for meningitis is optional, chicken pox I had and I just had a vaccination against Tetanus. As a result I will be thoroughly bruised on my shoulders for the next few months, so NO ONE HIT ME! :-)

I hope Berklee appreciates all the things that I do for it. This and paying 32000 Euros tuition for one year ...

However - I think it's still worth it!

spot accepted ....

Yay!!! Just a few minutes ago, I officially accepted my spot at Berklee. I would love to say "There is no going back from this" but it's actually not true, you can get your money back if you cancel before May 1st :-) But since I decided to go I won't need to do that! I also confirmed the online placement event in June where they determine my level of Ear Training, Harmony and Arranging. I hope I won't be put into the 1st course of any of those. I have some experience in those subjects and without meaning to brag, I'm quite good! :-) and also, skipping a course means that I can start earlier with other subjects.

Another milestone has been put down on my way to Berklee. Now the real fun begins: Visa application! Meaning - filling out forms, copying proofs of what-the-hell-do-I-know and getting a new passport. Lots of paperwork ahead.
More later!

And so it begins ....

Message from Admissions

Congratulations, Vera!

On behalf of the president and the board of trustees, I am delighted to announce your acceptance to Berklee College of Music as a candidate for the bachelor of music degree, September 2012, fall semester.

------

Yes!! I did it! I wish I would have started this blog right when I auditioned but to be honest, I didn't think I'd actually get in. But it's not too late to share every step of the adventure that is about to happen. 

And it is official - I have decided to go on this adventure and accept my spot at Berklee! Even though I was not awarded a scholarship, I want to do this. It is a one in a lifetime opportunity and I will not let it pass by. I am ready to face the amount of paperwork it takes and hours spent reading class schedules, regulations, finding an apartment or just flying there. 

The first thing to do now is to pay the tuition deposit, apply for a visa, get a new passport and sign up for online placement events. These events will put you into the right theory classes. Then it's all about planning when to move out, what to do with my stuff etc. That will take a while. Also I don't want to think about the fact that I'm going to have to leave my friends behind. But I guess that's part of being a grownup - You have to deal with things like that. I will miss them, though! I already get teary-eyed now, even though it's really not time yet. But as we all know, time flies, and therefore the moment will come sooner rather than later when I will have to say goodbye for at least a year! 

However sad it may be to leave my friends behind, I can't begin to describe how excited I am! It is such an honor to be accepted by such a prestigious school. I will not waste a second of it!!!!! 

On that note - I should also not waste any time with my current studies, even though my thoughts are far far away in Boston, Massachusetts ..... 

Final Exam is coming up! May 22nd to be exact ... I better get crackin'!