I’m still waiting to hear back from some grad schools on my application for a history Phd. However, after some unofficial rejections and acceptances via email, two official letters in the mail, and lots of help and advice from friends I think I’m finally over the anxious period of waiting. I cannot emphasize enough how important my friends and some of my professors have been in helping me throughout this process - it makes a huge difference. Yesterday, I got the official letter telling me that I was accepted to study at Harvard’s history department for the coming fall and for a number of reasons I have decided to take that offer. I’m obviously blown away by this and it hasn’t really sunk in, but at least now I can now concentrate on making the best of my remaining time in Japan. Except for a few short trips, I’ll stay here until mid-August.