I did it!

To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive. -Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish author (1850 - 1894)

Well, folks...good news was finally bestowed upon me today. The University of Glasgow has accepted me for study in their History of Collecting program for the 2008-2009 Academic Year!!!

I was without words (a true rarity), but not without tears, when I received the news early this morning. Still groggy from late night fun at the College of Architecture, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the e-mails this morning. They seriously picked me? Wow, this must be my destiny after all! I probably read and re-read those e-mails 25 times before calling Sobota and leaving a message in which I wept like a child (best friends are hard to find these days and she definitely earns her title). Who cares that the person spelled my name wrong twice, in two different e-mails? I still get to go...don't I? :O

I must admit that it still hasn't quite sunk in yet. I have so many things to take care of before I can even board the plane---applying for a student visa, mortgaging my life for airfare, housing and travel expenses, praying for the value of the U.S. dollar to rise, purging my accumulation of stuff and preparing to adjust to a COMPLETELY new way of life. Although it seems daunting, I am completely up for the challenge. I expect the entire process, from start to finish, to be interesting, full of mishaps, funny stories, tears, one-of-a-kind moments and ultimately, be the most life altering experience of my life.

I would like to share my experiences with the people I care about most in this world---you. I welcome your feedback, questions and/or suggestions. Let's take this amazing journey together!

See you on the road as I say hello and wave goodbye!

Love,

Vanessa