Can you read me now?

Hi all,
For some reason, I am not able to post. An "error" keeps occuring. Comment and let me know if you can read this post and then I will rewrite my last blog.
Thanks,
Sarah

Update from the library

So I am taking a break from my studies to blog :)
I wanted to thank a couple of people who are helping a lot.  Thank you to Denise S. for making and donating the wonderful quilt.  It is beautiful and king sized!  I will be selling tickets to win the quilt $5 a piece or 3 for $10.  Pictures of the quilt will be up soon.
Also, thank you to Sweet Dreams Bakery and Fudge Shop.  They are letting me sell their fudge and I will be getting 30% of the profits.  I will hopefully be selling some for Christmas and some for Easter.  There is a link to their page below.
A HUGE thank you to all my family and friends who are so supportive and helpful.  You guys are making my dreams come true.
And finally, thank you to all those who have stopped by my blog, whether you wrote something or not.  Your interest in my journey means a lot to me.
Thank you for using my links below!
Have a great Sunday everyone! I am going back to homework.


***OH one more thing!  If you wish to purchase fudge from me I am selling 4 flavors in 1/2 lb boxes for $6.00. You can use the PayPal button on the right to order. If you would like to buy raffle ticket for the quilt please use the button on the right as well...but PLEASE remember to put your first name and phone number(or email) in the text box so I can contact you if you win! Thanks again for all of the support!

“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping” - Chinese Proverb

Sorry for not posting anything in awhile!
School has gotten so busy and I have barely had time to breathe. 
I started my job last week. I work as a housekeeper and I clean floors/desks/chalkboards etc.  It is my hope that I can stay at the 9 hours a week I promised my boss, along with classes, homework and 5+ hours of tutoring I have to do. I believe I make 7.25 an hour so I will make about $65. Since I am an education major, I need money for projects and lessons so I plan on taking $15 out for expenses and putting the remaining $50 in Italy savings.
 There was a comment that I should make a lottery wreath; that's a great idea, thanks!  I am working on writing up a letter that I will send to family, friends and local businesses offering my labor for any odd jobs that they need done. I am thinking: bake sale, pet sitting, babysitting, housecleaning, present wrapping, shoveling sidewalks, tutoring, chauffeur (especially for those who are younger and can't drive but wish to go to a movie, etc). Any other ideas are welcome!
I will try to keep updating as much as possible. I am still not used to having a blog...this is my first one.
My professors and clubs hit me with a lot of extra work for the next two weeks so I will be busy but I will try to get on and check comments as much as possible.
Also, I really want to thank everyone who is following my journey and helping me out with ideas and donations. It means a lot to me that so many people, both people I know and some I never met, have taken an interest in my dream.
Oh, and please don't forget to use my link to click through for all your amazon needs!
Well, I am off to read Shakespeare until I fall asleep.  Goodnight all!

Answers

Thank you for all the feedback!!  Okay, I will answer some of the questions I got in the last post.  Yes, I am an education major. I am getting Triple certified, for those of you who don't know what that means, it means that I will be certified in Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Special Education with a concentration in English.  In other words, I will be able to educate children from birth to 6th grade, both special and regular ed.  I honestly became Triple Cert to be more marketable when I leave college. I knew it would be a lot more work but I was willing to do that if that meant finding a job would be easier after college.  It never occurred to be that I would love Early Childhood. Yes, I have always loved younger children too but being a part of a preschool never caught my attention. However, after taking an early childhood class and observing in a preschool, I fell in love with it!  They are so full of energy!  I honestly can't wait to be a teacher, even if it scares me too.  I have always admired the way children view the world and how they actually enjoy learning and expressing themselves, which I believe many people lose with age. And yes, I have taken Praxis1.  For those of you who aren't up on teacher lingo, that is the test to be a teacher in most states in the country. I passed all the sections except for math...which I missed by ONE POINT.  So I am going to take that part again. I still have to take L.A.S.T which is the test to be a teacher in New York. Since I am not sure where I will be living, I want to cover all my bases. 
Also, thank you for the idea to sell some stuff on Craigslist!  I am thinking of selling my old prom and homecoming dresses from High School and any other random items I can find.
I will update everyone on Italy related information once I learn more! 
And again, thanks for the feedback!
Well, I am off to bed soon. I have an early class in which I am learning how to use technology in classrooms as part of lessons.
Goodnight everyone!

Money Money Money

Well I am back at school and had a great midterm break.  I have to apply for a passport soon and I guess that is a little over $100.  This weekend I plan on filling out my paperwork and seeing what is what. There is a $500 non-refundable deposit I have to put down soon to save a spot for me on the trip.  I just want to be sure that this is all possible and that I will be able to go before putting this money down. There are "check points" in which I have to make payments.  I think I am going to put down the money and find a way to make it all work even if I have to take up more jobs :) The thought of Italy is making me so excited. The opportunity to experience a new world and learn so much about another culture is more than I ever thought I could do at my age...or ever for that matter.  Keep checking back and asking questions!

Say HI!

Hey please leave a comment and let me know you are out there and any ideas you might want to share!

Baby Steps

So, after I went to the informational meeting at school to find out all about this amazing opportunity I knew that I was in trouble! That was a lot of money to come up with and a short time to come up with it. Mom and Dad would help I knew, but we are not rich and they are putting two kids through college with two more at home. So I knew that I would have to work my fingers to the bone and think outside the box. I applied for and was accepted to be added to the Substitute teacher list at my school at home, which is great but only during winterbreak when I am actually home. I also got an on campus job that is flexible enough to work around my classes, mandatory tutoring, student teaching, ect...so that too will help. I am planning to offer my services to neighbors and friends and family when I am home in a variety of odd jobs and chores. Mom suggested we do a bake sale, a neighbor offered to sew a quilt that I could then I raffle off. I added associate boxes for Amazon and Endless to this blog so please, if you shop at these website, click-through the links on this site so I can get a tiny percentage. I will keep updating as I come up with and try new ways to get to Italy!

And so it begins...

As some of you may know, I am attempting to go to Italy this summer as a part of my University's summer study abroad program.  I have been saving my pennies and gotten an on campus job to help me make this a reality. I still have a long way to go however and I decided to document my struggles. I am doing odd jobs, and working on ways to make some extra money during my school breaks. I would love to hear any ideas you may have to help me reach my goal. I come from a very small rural town and never really considered going overseas but I am a Junior this year and I am facing the "real world" all too soon. So, I have decided to sieze every and all opportunities that I can. I go to a Catholic Franciscan University and to see Assisi in person, and to study there, is a wonderful opportunity that I would hate to miss. I will be taking 6 credits and I may have some opportunities to participate in the Italian school system (as I am an Elementary/Special Education Major) 
This is a five and a half-week program (the last week in May through June) that offers six credit hours from among a large selection of courses in the following areas: business, education, Italian language, fine arts, humanities, and social sciences.
I look so forward to achieving this goal! Thank you for your interest, advice and support.