My blog isn’t even two months old, and I’ve already broken the (self-imposed) rule of updating it on a weekly basis. But this lack of activity isn’t because I’ve lost interest in blogging, nor am I suffering from a severe case of writer’s block. It’s just that I’ve been busy planning a little something I like to call the rest of my life.

Ironically, the language barrier has proven to be a bit of a problem. Are grants, fellowships and scholarships the same? Do I qualify as graduate or undergraduate? Should I go for a minor or a major? What's more, the world of academia is all about acronyms. Am I looking for a BA, MA, MFA or MLA? What do GSAS and GRE stand for?  What is the difference between the PB, the CB and the IB versions of TOEFL? So all my extra time and energy have been spent on thinking, researching, planning, dictionary-consulting and email-sending. 

But all this work hasn’t been without reward. My mental crossroads has morphed into a more recognisable form, that of a map of the United States. I have thus narrowed down the once numerous possibilities to a handful or so.  So, what’s next?

1) Sit for TOEFL and ace the damn thing.

2) Pray that at least one of the dozens of scholarships that I’ll apply for consider me worthy of their money.  

3) Pray that at least one of the dozens of colleges that I’ll apply for consider me worthy of their high educational standard.

4) Hope that immigration doesn’t realize I’d do anything for a green card (just kidding! Or am I….?)