A Glimmer of Hope

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Someone told me recently that on the edge of bad news is attached good news coming. Boy were they right!

Sorry no new news on the visa process. This whole visa process has me remembering that old adage, "If you can't beat them join them." Something really wonderful happened to me today that may change everything but first...

I've been getting hand written letters from Waleed. I've gotten the 3rd and the 6th letter so far and wondering where the rest are. I really love these letters because they're pages long and the feeling and energy I get from them is something I don't get from reading emails or talking to him on the phone. I read them over and over again and they quench a thirst for me. In them he talks about getting his Masters after he gets out of the military and if we're still waiting on the visa. You all know I've been shopping graduate programs and looking at the American University in Cairo. I like their Journalism and Mass Media Masters program as well as their Middle Eastern Studies Masters program. Plus I like the idea of studying abroad and getting to be with my Husband while he works on his Masters as well. The idea is fitting and appealing.

The really good news is in addition to my regular student loans, for my last year in college, I just found out I was awarded a $5,000 scholarship!!!! Whooooohoooo! That's in addition to the $900 scholarship I got!

Yes I do plan to use some of this money to go to Egypt for my winter break in nine months and see my Husband who I will not have seen for two years by that time. In addition I plan to tour the new American University in Cairo 250 acre campus and meet with the graduate professors in the departments I'm interested in! I'm so flipping excited!!! I'm also going to take a year of Arabic for my last year in college to prepare to make the leap if it comes to me deciding on the AUC.

I am still considering graduate film schools in LA but the books I've read about it say that you don't need to do that and there are two sides to the coin. If I do that I get the prestige of the degree but I also get $100,000 in debt and no guarantee that I'll have a job when I get out to pay back that kind of debt. These books argue the other side of the coin is LA is the only place in the world you can work in the industry and not have a degree and still be able to advance quickly. That in the time it would take me to get my graduate degree I could be learning more through experience and making money and contacts. So... I'm still debating which graduate degree programs to pursue and wondering if maybe I'm having a higher purpose in pursuing diplomacy or government work or journalism.

[HLM 1]

I wd totally agree with u on the AUC thing just to be closer to ur husband... coz im only looking at it from the marraige side.... everything else sounds good too but i have no experience in this what so ever lol but may God be with u in whichever u choose for urself and may He support u and keep u safe and happy always

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

Someone told me recently that on the edge of bad news is attached good news coming. Boy were they right!

Sorry no new news on the visa process. This whole visa process has me remembering that old adage, "If you can't beat them join them." Something really wonderful happened to me today that may change everything but first...

I've been getting hand written letters from Waleed. I've gotten the 3rd and the 6th letter so far and wondering where the rest are. I really love these letters because they're pages long and the feeling and energy I get from them is something I don't get from reading emails or talking to him on the phone. I read them over and over again and they quench a thirst for me. In them he talks about getting his Masters after he gets out of the military and if we're still waiting on the visa. You all know I've been shopping graduate programs and looking at the American University in Cairo. I like their Journalism and Mass Media Masters program as well as their Middle Eastern Studies Masters program. Plus I like the idea of studying abroad and getting to be with my Husband while he works on his Masters as well. The idea is fitting and appealing.

The really good news is in addition to my regular student loans, for my last year in college, I just found out I was awarded a $5,000 scholarship!!!! Whooooohoooo! That's in addition to the $900 scholarship I got!

Yes I do plan to use some of this money to go to Egypt for my winter break in nine months and see my Husband who I will not have seen for two years by that time. In addition I plan to tour the new American University in Cairo 250 acre campus and meet with the graduate professors in the departments I'm interested in! I'm so flipping excited!!! I'm also going to take a year of Arabic for my last year in college to prepare to make the leap if it comes to me deciding on the AUC.

I am still considering graduate film schools in LA but the books I've read about it say that you don't need to do that and there are two sides to the coin. If I do that I get the prestige of the degree but I also get $100,000 in debt and no guarantee that I'll have a job when I get out to pay back that kind of debt. These books argue the other side of the coin is LA is the only place in the world you can work in the industry and not have a degree and still be able to advance quickly. That in the time it would take me to get my graduate degree I could be learning more through experience and making money and contacts. So... I'm still debating which graduate degree programs to pursue and wondering if maybe I'm having a higher purpose in pursuing diplomacy or government work or journalism.

You don't think you will have his visa before December?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Not unless the Egyptian Military releases him before his due date of March 1st, 2009 with the except of two additional months of service so he might not get out until May 1st, 2009. The Egyptian Military threw a wrench in our process.

You don't think you will have his visa before December?

[SaadBell 0]

You deserve it, always rain before sunshine, I am happy for you

[Nagishkaw 510]

Olivia, just.......... your post makes me appreciate a lot of things I take for granted. Thank you.

[tammy2688 1]

Yap, dear there is always a glimmer of hope, especially at our worst moments. I am so happy God gave you this. May God give you much more.

With love,

Tammy

[Nasturtium 500]

OOO! I think I would consider AUC just to be closer... I'm mushy like that though. Glad to hear things are looking more up.

[Hanna&Mohamed 0]

This is wonderful news! When I was going to egypt the first time there were so many people going to go to AUC that was on the plane ! They were talking that it is such a good college. I wish u the best of luck with ur studies !

[Imua 0]

Congrats Olivia, that is wonderful news!!!! When a door is closed, God opens a window.

[aj1 1]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! to you hun!!!

AJ1

[S and S 12]

Wow, that would be so great if you go. I think it is wonderful idea. If I were you and in your position, it would definitely be something I would consider. Let us know what you decide to do.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I cherish the handwritten letters my husband wrote to me. As you said, there is something so very special about them -- even more than any email or live chat conversation.

The opportunity to go to American University in Cairo would be the chance of a lifetime ! Your interest in international affairs will be greatly served by the experience of living and learning in a foreign environment. Plus, it's closer to your husband

So if there's any way you can pull it off, I'd say -- go for it !!!

-MK

[polarbear 0]

I cherish the handwritten letters my husband wrote to me. As you said, there is something so very special about them -- even more than any email or live chat conversation.

The opportunity to go to American University in Cairo would be the chance of a lifetime ! Your interest in international affairs will be greatly served by the experience of living and learning in a foreign environment. Plus, it's closer to your husband

So if there's any way you can pull it off, I'd say -- go for it !!!

-MK

Definantly. I am so happy I decided to go to school internationally, it puts a new perspective on life. Sorry to sound cheezy but that really is the way I feel about it. And besides that, you would be close to your husband no matter what happened with the visa without sacrificing your goals and what you want to do in life.

[Aymsgirl 0]

I would say go with your heart and your heart is in Egypt!!!!!!!!!!!! If it was me and I didn't have anything else absolutely tying me down I would go to AUC to be close to my husband and still persue my studies. Best wishes in all you do!