"Money...get away...."

Arrrgh it's been a rough week. And on top of it I just lost a really long post, damn it. I guess I'll start from the top, but abbreviated.

So I had applied for this thing called Alternative Spring Break to go help build a house in Mexico over Spring Break. I went to every meeting, mandatory or not, and turned in what I thought was a stellar application. However, this program is run through Colleges 9 and 10 (I'm at Stevenson), and thus they (unfairly, I think) give priority to any of those student who applied. There were 25 spots, and 41 people applied. I got called yesterday and was told that I was an "outstanding applicant", but "unfortunately, there were too many College 9 and 10 students who applied and were chosen" so I couldn't go, even though I was "outstanding." DAMMIT. I really wanted to go too!!!!

So okay fine, moving on. I'm still bitter about the whole thing, but I figure I probably wasn't meant to go for some reason. So now I'm in the process of applying for other things. I really want to travel somewhere. I'm in college, there are a plethora of (payable..) programs available to me, I should take advantage of them. So I'm applying to EAP Study Abroad summer programs in Denmark and the Philippines. Denmark because it's one of the only ones that's offered in the summer (I don't have enough quarters left to study abroad during the school year) and also just for the hell of it really (I'm not super interested in learning Danish, but it would be cool to be in Denmark, I have a friend who really liked it there), and the Philippines for language acquisition reasons. Both are really expensive, but I like I said, I WANT TO DO SOMETHING.

Also, my roommate told me about this program through UC Irvine where chosen students get to study for 5 weeks at Cambridge. I checked it out and it's the best deal I've found so far: $3,600 for everything except airfare. But of course, it's really competitive. Those applications come out in December. Wish me luck.

Finally, if none of this goes through, I think I will go to Australia through the ISV program that Katie is doing. I actually do really want to go to Australia, but what I'm gathering from my family and relatives, people are much more willing to help fund my trip if it is academically focused. So we will see.

I guess I just feel like I'm running out of time and am not making the most of my college years. I know so many people who are studying abroad, and I wonder, why can't I do it too? I think I just need to make things happen, and oh, get some money too.

So over Winter Break I'll be working at both Union City Leisure Services (Marsh Hawk Winter Camp...that Potowatomi-like program in Union City) M-F and Macys on the weekends and on the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve. I really didn't want to go back to Macys, but apparently the store manager called my house and was asking if I was coming back to help for the holidays. Crazy shit. My parents urged me not to "close any doors", so grudgingly, I took the job. I'll be working 7 days a week...but this will hopefully help save up funds for possible studying abroad.

On top of all of this, the quarter is quickly winding to a close. 2 papers due next week, plus normal reading for classes, and lots of other shit that I don't even want to think about. Sorry for all the bitching, I'm actually not that stressed and I'm actually pretty happy, but there was just a lot to catch you guys up on. I can't wait to see you all during Christmas break, seriously.

Anyway, to close, here's a HILARIOUS clip from a children's show from the 70s that Scott found. So much blatant sexual innuendo, I watched this thing with my jaw hanging open. If you're procrastinating (like me), or needing a laugh, check it out:

TWANGERS

You all have a great week, okay? Pray with me that it starts raining hundred dollar bills so thatI can pay off my credit card bill and start saving up for a possible trip.