Just Writing

There has been a lot of craziness. Mostly because my nephew got quite ill and had to go down to the Seattle Children's Hospital. Poor baby! I love him so much! The good news is, he seems to be responding well to treatment and is on the mend. Thank you Jesus! Our prayers have been answered. :)

Yesterday I met with my friend Julie. She is a genius. She also knows a lot about student financial aid... We sat down at her kitchen table and opened up my laptop. She was a star! She helped me get started on applying. She directed me very well and saved me hours of reading through instructions and watching tutorials. When I got home I entered some more information into my application, then I got stuck. :( Sigh. So at work this morning, just as Julie was coming in, I pounced on her. She gave me a two word explanation that cleared everything up! Julie is my FAFSA hero! So after a bit more work, I finished my application! Yay! It is all sent in and now I am praying hard that God will provide the funds that I need.

My next HUGE project is to apply for my visa... I have spent several hours trying to figure it out... I still have no clue! If anyone has any experience that might help, please contact me!! And please join me in praying for the visa application process to become clear and go smoothly, and that FAFSA will work out.

And finally, love and prayers for my beautiful nephew and all of his family. I love you babe! Kisses from Auntie Kelina.

Overwhelming

I still can't believe it. It hasn't really sunk in. In a few short months, I'll be a student living in the UK. I'll FINALLY be "A Bellingham Yank in the UK." It seems unreal. I mean, as much faith as I have in God's love, goodness, and care for me, I'm not sure I really believed this was possible. I had gotten used to seeing other people's dreams come true, but me? I have had a few. I have stood amongst Roman ruins, taken a couple trips to amazing places, found friends that I know will be a part of my life forever, but as hugely important and life-changing as those things are/have been for me... I still didn't believe I was allowed to have more. This has caused a major shift in my thinking, in my faith. EVERYTHING looks a bit different now. A bit brighter. A bit more in focus.

On the heels of these overwhelming thoughts, come other overwhelming thoughts... I spent some time today, trying to figure out how to apply for my visa... It about did me in... Holy cow! I got dizzy, lost, clicking through page after page of confusing information... I'm really wishing I knew someone who had moved from the US to the UK for school and could walk me through the process. On top of that I have to start applying for financial aid. *Shudder!* VERY overwhelming stuff. And then there are the thoughts of everything that I'll miss here, while I'm there... That's nearly enough to stop me going. Nearly. I would be a level of stupid all my own to give up this opportunity. I don't want to be stupid. I also don't want to stay the way I am. I want to grow, learn, become more who God meant when He meant me...

So I ask this from those I love, who love me, pray please. Pray that visas and finances work out easily and swiftly. Pray that I don't crack up! Pray for peace.

Thank you.

School Stuffs Update

I have sorely neglected the original topic of this blog lately. What? Oh. You don't know the original topic? Well that makes sense, as I haven't mentioned it in ages... When I first started it, it was to document my adventure into applying to and (hopefully) attending school in the UK. (Check archives for earlier posts.) I figure I'm due for a school update about now...

So, while I was in the UK a few weeks back, i heard from the school I had applied to. I didn't get in. I was lacking certain qualifications for the program. It's not bad news though. After about 4 minutes of sadness, I got fired up again. When I returned home, I started researching other schools and programs in the UK. Here's the good news. I found 2 schools that have programs that are even more suited to my needs and wants! Yay! One school in Hull, has a Zoology program that includes a foundation year. The foundation year is for getting the qualifications you need to begin the actual degree. Fabulous! I added Hull to my application... Then I found something even BETTER!! It is a degree program called "Wildlife Biology." Perfect? I think so! The wildlife side of Zoology is what i wanted to focus on anyway. AND it includes a foundation year! It seemed a bit too good to be true, but I added it to my application too.

Two days after they both had received my application, last Monday, I got emails from both schools. Both said they were pleased to receive my application and looked forward to reviewing it and getting to know me during this process. One school, MMU in Manchester, the one with the Wildlife Biology course requested that I send them my transcripts by May 6. I emailed them back, explaining that it takes a few days to request and receive transcripts from school, so I was afraid they might not get there in time, and could I send them electronically? They replied right away that scanning and emailing them was fine.

Yesterday I picked up my transcripts from Squalicum High School and Whatcom Community College. I emailed them right out at what would have been 11 PM UK time... This morning I had a form letter thanking me for sending the documents and assuring me that they would be submitted to the admissions office.

So, at 11:45 this morning, I put my kids down to sleep and got out my laptop... After only a couple hours of consideration, I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN UNCONDITIONAL OFFER TO ATTEND MMU!!!!! I can hardly sit still! I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off! I can't believe it, I really can't!!!!