Wendy's Study Abroad Trip

First let me tell you that I am blessed beyond measure! I have traveled a long way to get to this amazing point in my life, some roads rocky, others straight, and I want everyone to know just how much I appreciate them in helping me attain my dream goals. For those of you who don't know me or know me well, I am a 52 year old student at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, about to start her final year for her Bachelors degree in History/Cultural Resource Management. I never thought I would be where I am right now, as my life took the motherly turn upon graduating from high school in 1978, having two wonderful children by the age of 21 years old. You know how time is. College just wasn't in the plan at that time, and I really wouldn't have appreciated it as much as I do now. Time also has a way of passing quickly when you're not looking. Fast forward to 1998. My Mother died suddenly and unexpectedly. If you've ever lost someone dear, maybe you can understand what can possibly happen when you lose faith or when grief consumes you to the point of self-destruction. I was there. There is too much grief in the past for me to look back or even speak of it now.  Fast forward to 2008. My two children, Mindy & Jake, are way past grown and left the nest, so there really weren't any excuses left why I couldn't start working on making my dreams come true of enrolling in college.  I began at River Parishes Community College, and with the loving guidance of two of my most favorite people, Dr. Catherine Broussard & Annie Holben, I spent three wonderful years learning how to love life again and become a curious pain to my professors!  Fast forward to 2012. Since I started college in 2008, it seems I am on a roll. I am continually attempting new challenges all the time. One dream I have had since I was a child, was to go abroad. The United Kingdom has always held a certain fascination for me, so when I saw the Study Abroad program for Scotland & Ireland, I couldn't help myself! I filled out the application, wrote my essay, and sent it off. When I was accepted into the program, I cried. Here was another dream coming to pass. My student loans and a $400 scholarship I won cover the tuition of $3,500, but not airfare, food, or my train ticket ride to England (I will be leaving out of London). A little spending money would be great, but getting there is my first priority, even above food! Hard to believe that one, but it's true! So I am asking my family, my friends, people who want to live vicariously through me, people who want to cheer me on and help me achieve my goals, people who think I'm funny (ha!), anyone really that would like to donate to my cause.. I need your help. Anything, any amount, everything counts. In advance I thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy entreaty and I love you all.