Packing, packing, housing and more packing...

I have been diligently on the search for a place to sleep.

If I had been notified sooner about the dorms I could have been actively applying for the apartments across the street. Most of them are booked and even though I applied I have again been wait listed. I have an offer and the contract for Shanowen Hall in my e-mail box. It doesn't look bad and I can't be choosy at this point because I want to remain in the area (i.e. walking distance from the uni.)

In the meantime, I have been packing things to take with, packing things to store while I'm gone, packing things I don't want to pack ever again so I can donate the items.

I never thought I could have this much stuff. I'm thinking about selling it. But I want to have a sale where everything is out infront of the house, and if it is not gone by the end of the day DONATE IT!

Once I get the housing dillemma settled I will buy my plane ticket.

Why do people find it so hard to do their jobs?

I'm so frustrated. Now I know why the Irish drink.
I have e-mailed the offices at the university quite a few times and never heard back from them. I have been asking questions about the on campus accommodation and FINALLY had them answered TODAY! After a month of going in circles on their out-dated web page and not receiving any new information I finally get an answer.

"...my apologise, but all international on campus housing has been allocated. please notice you will be wait listed."

Thanks.
:-(

I got in. Now what?

So I'm going to Dublin, Ireland for a year. I got into my first school choice for my Masters in International Journalism, I should be excited right?

I'm trying to be.

I worked so hard for this through grades, experience and application of knowledge, but I'm starting to doubt if it's every thing I expect it to be.

I think that the reason I am scared is because of the money. I have filled out the FAFSA and applied for loans, but I haven't heard anything yet. What really kills me is that I have to pay the full amount up front. I'm not a European Union citizen. If I was, I could pay the fees in two installments. The deadline is in the middle of July and all too soon approaching.

I need $42,000 (= E30,000) as the bare minimum and I don't have that kind of money, not right now. I don't have much hope that I will get it in time. I'm applying for scholarships hoping that I can use them to pay off the loans.

When I look at the price tag on this degree I'm starting to wonder if it's worthwhile with the downturn in print journalism. My defense for that is there will still be news even if it's reported in a different medium. The Internet will still need writers and there will always be an international scope. My heart is definitely there. I know I'm good at anything I put my mind, heart and soul into.

I made it this far. I was offered a place.