Graduation Party and Waiting

  On June 9, my family had a huge graduation party/all-clear celebration. We had nearly a hundred people out to our farm. Not only did I graduate, but on June 8, one sister (S) graduated high school, and the twins (L&R) will be graduating from 8th grade. On top of that, my brother, who has had a brain tumor since he was nine, received news that he was nine-months cancer free and should move on with his life. Needless to say, this was a big day.

   We spent the whole week, and maybe a little more, getting ready. We made mostaccioli and Caesar salad, baked cookies and rolls, made posters and hung decorations. In fact, I was still prepping by the time the party started. 

  We all had a great time. Kids went swimming in the pond, played on the swing set, rode golf carts, and played volleyball. The adults mingled, went fishing, and just relaxed. I got to see some people that I haven't seen in years. It was fun.

  That night, I thought that I would be able to sign up for a dorm room at UCD. I was mistaken. Because I haven't been fully accepted, I am not allowed to apply for dorms. I am getting incredibly antsy. My college sent my transcripts on June 7, which means that UCD should be getting them anytime now. The transcripts were the last requirement for me to be fully accepted. So now, I'm waiting with baited breath. To make it worse, everyday, all the people at work ask when I'm going to find out. It just makes the whole thing nerve wracking. 

  On top of all that, I'm trying to lose weight - unsuccessfully so far - I've only managed to gain it, which just adds to my frustrations.

  Until next time - perhaps "Acceptance and Packing." Here's to hoping.

School's Out and A New Bank

  As of yesterday, I am a college graduate! That means I have met the requirements for acceptance to UCD. Now, I have my fingers crossed. I'm hoping my transcript gets to Dublin on time and that I get fully accepted to UCD.

In the meantime, I wait. There won't be any news from Dublin until the beginning of July, most likely. So, I'll be working for my parents' foundation repair company to earn some cash before I head to Ireland.

   That money will now be going to a Capital One 360 account. After much searching, I settled on the 360, because it is almost entirely fee free. That includes no foreign traction fees - a huge help for when I'm abroad. I'm still looking for a decent credit card and am open to suggestions.

That's all for now. I will post again after my graduation party in June.

Getting There

   Almost 6 months ago, I began the process to get my Masters in archaeology in Ireland. The process started with applying for a Fulbright. For those unfamiliar with this particular scholarship, a Fulbright is a scholarship funded by the US Department of State to encourage beneficial interaction between the US and foreign nations. The Fulbright covers total tuition if you are a student and provides a stipend for living expenses. I contacted schools throughout the UK trying to find someone willing to be my Fulbright adviser. My first positive contact was at the University of Glasgow, where they have a degree in Viking and Celtic Archaeology - exactly what I wanted. However, after a few emails back and forth, I stopped getting replies. So, I moved on. The next positive reply was from the University College Dublin, where they have specialists in early and early medieval Ireland, also pretty much what I wanted.
   Dr. Aidan O'Sullivan, who is the head of the graduate program of archaeology there, agreed to work with me, and we began the lengthy process of hammering out a project proposal. He was incredibly helpful in pointing me in the right direction. Here at home, I began working with the vice provost of my college to finish the US side of the Fulbright application. By early October, I had completed the application.

    Over Christmas, I found out I didn't get the scholarship. In the long run, I'm kinda glad. UCD still accepted me (provisionally - I have to graduate), and without the Fulbright, I can stay in Ireland and try to get a job after I complete my degree.
  Now, I am caught in a state of limbo. I can't wait to get to Ireland, but I've got to graduate first and I have a terrible case of senioritis. I have little desire to work on school. This is not helped by the fact that I only have night classes. I really need to get on top of things! The semester is halfway over already, and I have one 20 page paper due and the rough draft of a 25 page paper due in a little over 2 weeks. One is halfway finished, the other not even started. Well, the research is mostly there, just not the paper.
   Anywho, I keep looking to see what I need to take, how I should pack, when to by airline tickets (they're really cheap right now!), what bank/credit card to use, etc. It keeps distracting me because that is where I really want to be!