Mozartgirl53

Haha! Thanks sirskipsalot! I love the gif! My doggies (a Pom and a Shih Tzu) actually looked a lot like this, because I started jumping and screaming and they started barking and jumping up on me; it was really funny! Even Sammy the cat got in on the action! Thanks for the well wishes; it is deeply appreciated.

Thanks, Rachelrushing! I do love Will Smith! haha! C'mon Croatia!!!!!

Hi danielaface, congratulations! I too am hopeful you'll get upgraded! Fingers crossed out here on the left coast!

Hey Normando13 and S00sanna, Congrats on your alternate status to Russia! I'm so grateful that Russia seems to being going ahead full steam and I hope everybody finds out soon! Maybe South America will come tomorrow, who knows? I know this means yet more waiting for you, Normando and S00, but I really hope the waiting turns into going! Best of luck in getting that (P) letter SOON!

Wow, guys, wow. Sweden is a tough one this year. cgerry14 and sel386, I am truly sorry. I really thought you both would get it. You are both so passionate about your scholarship that I know you will find a way. Geez. I feel really bad. Three years ago, finishing up my master's degree, I applied to the geography department at UW Seattle. I had taken a couple of graduate seminars with them, and two of the professors wrote letters for me. They both volunteered to chair my committee. I was so sure I'd get in, I didn't apply anywhere else. Well, I bombed the GRE. I had the flu when I took it, and in fact when I finished the test, my son drove me to the ER and I was admitted to the hospital for a couple of days. Long story short, those two professors went to bat for me, but I was not admitted. I thought my life was over. Being hit by a train or bus was exactly the feeling. I hurriedly applied to a couple of other places (way late) and fortunately got accepted at Gonzaga. But it hurt; it hurt unbearably. Everyone thought I was the one who was going to get into an awesome PhD program. The pressure was undeniable. And then I let everybody down. Or so I thought. But it has turned out pretty well, and today I got this great news and I thought, yeah, this makes up for the non-admit to UW Seattle. So, I'm just trying to say... I KNOW how you feel right now. It's crushing. But I also KNOW you will get past this. If you can just hang on to that thought, just BELIEVE it will get better...and it will. I have 100% faith in you; after all, you made it to the finals! That is nothing to sneeze at! You will be OK. I promise. rhrhrhrhrh and nick, congratulations on your alternate status! I am sending vibes out into the universe in hopes someone, or two someones out there decide this isn't the best option for them, and voila! You will still get the grants. I'll be here thinking about you as long as it takes! Good luck!

Hi FingersCrossed_118, it looks like we have to fill out some sort of financial form and declare our assets, etc. Hopefully when they see I have no assets, haha (does the 1999 minivan count? haha) and no money they can do something to help. But I WILL get there, by hook or by crook! Anyone else with funding ideas, please let me know! Thanks.

Hi Vowel_Harmonizer, Congratulations! Making alternate is pretty cool! Are you a musician? People's handles always intrigue me. I play the piano, but defintiely waaaay below professional status. Anyway, here's hoping that (A) goes to a (P) and the sooner the better!

This is great news, SonaTina! I've been holding my breath about Russia and Ukraine, and this certainly seems to say Russia is ON. I hope tomorrow is a good day for Russia recommendees!

Hi Sine, thank you for that very nice compliment! I know I'm a bit of a Pollyanna, but I don't care. It feels good to believe that everyone is good and deserving of something in life. Yes, I get burned once in a while-- some homeless people I hired to clean my house came back during the night and robbed me a few weeks ago--- but so what? I gave them a chance. And I'm never going to change that about me. I'm always going to cheer everybody on because I believe in the human spirit, and I think that's really the essence of the Fulbright program, isn't it? Anyway, I'm rooting for all of you-- go team Moldova! (And France)

benji17, CONGRATULATIONS! Well done. Senegal sounds like a very interesting country; I'm sure you'll have a very fulfilling year!

Thank you guys soooooooo much! I honestly would not have survived this process without all of you, really. Oliloiwoo, my fingers are crossed so tight for you! I hope the rest of the notifications come quickly now.

Time: 7:21 EDT From: Jermaine Jones Subject: Fulbright Application Status (P) Letter: Dear Ms. Brown, Congratulations! I am delighted to inform you that you have been selected for a 2014-2015 Fulbright U.S. Student Award to Zambia. SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Hi Olioliwoo, I am SOOO rooting for you! I think you're doing the right thing by developing contingency plans, but I hope you don't have to implement them. I'm trying to figure out the course my dissertation will take if I don't get the Fulbright. I'll probably apply for other grants and try to do my fieldwork during a shorter stay, although 9 months would be much better than 3. But, stuff happens. Meanwhile, Olioliwoo, we're in this together!

miri1776, that is wonderful news! Congratulations! It sounds like a pretty neat grant, giving you time to make contacts and lay the groundwork. Way to go!

Hi GnosisExchange, thanks for the well wishes for Olioliwoo and me! I really hope we both end up getting to go too! However, no word on Zambia as of yet today and it's 4:30 on the east coast so I am assuming I won't hear today.

Hi Monster.Tigerbot, Thanks for passing all that email. And for detailed information! AND CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING THE ETA SERBIA! THAT'S GREAT NEWS!!!!! I'm so excited I doing the Happy Dance over here! It must feel great!

Hi Monster.Tigerbot, Thanks for passing all that email. And for detailed information! AND CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING THE ETA SERBIA! THAT'S GREAT NEWS!!!!! I'm so excited I doing the Happy Dance over here! It must feel great!

Hey miri1776, Sirskipsalot, and Nella, I'm with you all! I'm madly watching Blacklist, my new favorite TV drama, but I've done some epic series seasons I missed along the way: Criminal Minds, NCIS, Modern Family...you know! For me, writing helps me keep it together. I get absorbed in what I'm doing and forget about Fulbright, at least for a while.

Hi FingersCrossed_118, thanks for that info. I'll be sure to do that IF/WHEN the time comes. And thank you so much for your continuing support!

Aww skosz, I'm sorry. And it's been such a long wait for you Eurasia folks. I don't know your alternate plans, but may good fortune follow you wherever the path leads.

Meupstdoes, Thanks for the kind words. Fingers crossed! Oh I'm so glad you get to go to Malawi this summer! I hope the trial goes well and that the data is good!

Croetiaeta, wow, you must be going bonkers! Knowing they know... Oh yikes! We're all here rooting for you!

Hey way to go, BeingBecoming! Your story inspires us! Olioliwoo, I hope we're not putting too much pressure on you because of course we're all just so,so,so rooting for you to turn Aternate--->Accepted!!! I'm sending you lots of positive vibes!

Yeah I know! I sure would have preferred finding out in February. But...it is what it is. I am destined to have my notification later than the rest of my group. But I'm OK now about it. Thanks for sharing your story with me!

Thanks rosecoyote! It's great to have such awesome people in here rooting each other on!