Counting my blessings

I've been doing the math.  I'm (almost certainly?) going to have the money to get to London.  (Assuming taxes aren't ridiculously more than I think they're going to be.)  It'll be kind of close, but I'll make it.  In a spirit of intense gratitude, there are a few people I'd like to thank.

First of all, my Nonna.  (It means grandma in Italian, by the by--she's my dad's mom.)  She gave me a good bit of help, which I'm grateful for, but I'm also very, very thankful for her love and her interest in me and in what I'm up to.  I love her very much!

Second, my mom's grandparents.  They're excited for me to go, too, and have also been helping and very encouraging.  Love to them, too!

Third, the Thomas family who gave me a scholarship--mostly because I'm going on the study abroad.  Mr. Thomas also seemed amused and intrigued by the fact that I took Welsh, Chaucer, and Shakespeare last year.  He kept asking questions about those during the interview.  I guess I sounded like I knew something of what I was talking about.  (Except I couldn't remember the entirety of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the city in Wales famous for its name.  Why?  Well, look at it.  It literally translates to the "Church of Mary in the hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of Tyslio near the red cave."  I could explain some of that, but this tangent is long enough.)  Many thanks to them, again!

Fourth, to the government for paying me for school--Pell grants are my friends.

Also, thanks to my parents for supporting me and encouraging me to go for the study abroad even if the monetary side seemed/is daunting, and for supporting me in my interests all my life.  Friends, family, and teachers, thank you, too.  (Wow, I'm starting to feel like this is a graduation speech or something...  Well, I feel like you've all helped me along here, so I wanted to mention my gratitude even if this is just a blog post and not an acceptance speech or something.)  Love to all of you, as well.

And yes, I'll post pictures.