Brett Is Selfish and Wants Your Money
Donation protected
Dear Diary,
I think I've hit an all-time low in which I have high ambitions and low means to attempt said ambitions. To be exact, I've applied and been accepted to study English abroad at the University of Leicester in the UK so that I can truly appreciate English literature at its birthplace. What I didn't know (rather, what I knew and chose to avoid) is that these life adventures tend to cost money. Between CSULB tuition, airfare, and the cost of living in a country where the USD is equitable to a chicklet, I need some major help financing my selfish and non-philanthropic desires. That's where everyone else in my life comes in. I'm at the point where I intend to solicit the few people left in my life that have a positive image of me for spare change underneath their couch. I intend to reach my goal even if it means becoming vindictive to the point where I hit up every single person who I've ever lent a stick of gum to in my life for a dollar. A dollar for a stick of gum seems a bit much, but with the interest rate, I think I'm cutting a pretty good deal here.
WHERE & WHEN I'LL BE GOING
University of Leicester is in Leicester, UK (a little over an hour north of London by train). Think of it as the Long Beach of London, but 0% ocean water. I'm told that the community is just as diverse and that the accents are rockin' there. Fall semester dates are September 30 to December 13. I leave Long Beach on September 14 to start my journey.
WHAT I'LL BE DOING
For Fall 2013, University of Leicester is letting me take course modules equating to 60 credits (which will equate to 9 units at CSULB). I've arranged to take three courses that will help me towards my BA in English at CSULB under the guidance of an English department academic adviser. The three classes I'll be taking are as follows:
AM3024 - Modern American Poetry
EN1020 - The Novel: A Literary Genre
SY1016 - Victims & Offenders
HOW THIS MONEY WILL BE SPENT
Due to tuition costs being the same as what I'd normally be paying for CSULB (a major thanks to Leicester's direct exchange program), the educational aspects of this trip are already covered by my family members and my own sad bank account. Any money that comes from this feeble attempt will be spent on airfare, accommodation at the university's dorms, a public transit pass, my key deposit, bedding, kitchen supplies, telephone/internet, my security registration, food, books, and just staying alive and not living in squalor in general.
MY PLANS UPON RETURNING
I intend to return to work at the Disneyland Resort immediately to save myself money that will very much be needed. I'll then enjoy my final semester at CSULB in Spring 2014 taking the 10 units I'll have left to take. I intend to pick up another internship at some point or resume work with my current program.
WHY ME AND NOT SAY... DARFUR?
I have no good answer for this question.
I can instead ensure you that I've worked very hard on my education up to this point. I've gotten straight A's for every term since Spring 2012 and I received a certificate for Fall 2012 as a member of the President's Honor List. I will not waste this money, and that is a promise.
UPDATE: I soooooo did not get straight A's for Spring 2013.
This is becoming an awfully long diary entry, and I've lots of things to do such as more panhandling and filling out an endless number of scholarship applications. And I'm sleepy.
With love and selfishness,
Brett
P.S. My rewards are legit. I find the "Stink Eye Pass" to be the most valuable.
I think I've hit an all-time low in which I have high ambitions and low means to attempt said ambitions. To be exact, I've applied and been accepted to study English abroad at the University of Leicester in the UK so that I can truly appreciate English literature at its birthplace. What I didn't know (rather, what I knew and chose to avoid) is that these life adventures tend to cost money. Between CSULB tuition, airfare, and the cost of living in a country where the USD is equitable to a chicklet, I need some major help financing my selfish and non-philanthropic desires. That's where everyone else in my life comes in. I'm at the point where I intend to solicit the few people left in my life that have a positive image of me for spare change underneath their couch. I intend to reach my goal even if it means becoming vindictive to the point where I hit up every single person who I've ever lent a stick of gum to in my life for a dollar. A dollar for a stick of gum seems a bit much, but with the interest rate, I think I'm cutting a pretty good deal here.
WHERE & WHEN I'LL BE GOING
University of Leicester is in Leicester, UK (a little over an hour north of London by train). Think of it as the Long Beach of London, but 0% ocean water. I'm told that the community is just as diverse and that the accents are rockin' there. Fall semester dates are September 30 to December 13. I leave Long Beach on September 14 to start my journey.
WHAT I'LL BE DOING
For Fall 2013, University of Leicester is letting me take course modules equating to 60 credits (which will equate to 9 units at CSULB). I've arranged to take three courses that will help me towards my BA in English at CSULB under the guidance of an English department academic adviser. The three classes I'll be taking are as follows:
AM3024 - Modern American Poetry
EN1020 - The Novel: A Literary Genre
SY1016 - Victims & Offenders
HOW THIS MONEY WILL BE SPENT
Due to tuition costs being the same as what I'd normally be paying for CSULB (a major thanks to Leicester's direct exchange program), the educational aspects of this trip are already covered by my family members and my own sad bank account. Any money that comes from this feeble attempt will be spent on airfare, accommodation at the university's dorms, a public transit pass, my key deposit, bedding, kitchen supplies, telephone/internet, my security registration, food, books, and just staying alive and not living in squalor in general.
MY PLANS UPON RETURNING
I intend to return to work at the Disneyland Resort immediately to save myself money that will very much be needed. I'll then enjoy my final semester at CSULB in Spring 2014 taking the 10 units I'll have left to take. I intend to pick up another internship at some point or resume work with my current program.
WHY ME AND NOT SAY... DARFUR?
I have no good answer for this question.
I can instead ensure you that I've worked very hard on my education up to this point. I've gotten straight A's for every term since Spring 2012 and I received a certificate for Fall 2012 as a member of the President's Honor List. I will not waste this money, and that is a promise.
UPDATE: I soooooo did not get straight A's for Spring 2013.
This is becoming an awfully long diary entry, and I've lots of things to do such as more panhandling and filling out an endless number of scholarship applications. And I'm sleepy.
With love and selfishness,
Brett
P.S. My rewards are legit. I find the "Stink Eye Pass" to be the most valuable.
Organizer
Brett Ashley Hawkins
Organizer
Long Beach, CA
