There's only so much hope in the world before you realize that you're not getting a response.
It has officially been a month since I appealed to the local businesses of Charles County and abroad for small donations to go toward my conference tuition, and not a single one has replied as to whether or not they would be able to contribute.
What's strange to me is that if this were a college acceptance I was waiting on, at least I'd be guaranteed to get some kind of message. But nothing.
Registration for the conference officially opened 5 days ago, and due to the fact that a full payment of tuition is due upon making the final decision, my chances of getting in are slimming down. I have yet to actually contact any DC businesses though, and hopefully I'll be able to have some luck with them.
Basically, it's about $285 holding me back from the experience of a lifetime. I say this because ever since I got the letter in the mail from George Mason, I've found out just how supportive my family is. They're willing to go above and beyond to help me out, but the reason I'm appealing to all these businesses is because I wish they didn't have to give so much.
If I could get a few major sponsors, not only would I be able to register sooner, but it'd be less of a burden on the ones I care about.
I have until the 30th of March, and I will be sending more letters. A lot more. I'll be posting more blogs. I'll record more videos (even if the original ones were horrible). Somehow, I'm making it to this conference, and I'll continue to use this blog as a way to keep everyone posted. Right now, its just proving to be a little more challenging than I expected.
Thanks for reading,
Leena
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Account Issues and Donations
Though I am still aware that I only have one dedicated follower (thank you Nikki!!), for anyone else reading as well, sorry for the lack of updates. To be honest, there's not much to tell at the moment except for the small problem I seem to have run into today that might end up being bigger than I'd like it to be.
I technically registered for the conference twice, because I was worried that my results were not counted the first time due to my own computer's fault. In doing so, I recieved two letters detailing my acceptance into the conference, both with different deadlines for accepting my nomination.
If things are going the way they're supposed to be, I would already be on my way to registration. However, in an attempt to relocate my VIP page and check for any important announcements that I could possibly miss, I tried to log in to the website presented to me, and nothing. Knowing that I entered both my correct user and password into the system, it worried me even more when I attempted to change my password and told that no email or username existed for the account I was trying to fix.
I really and truly hope that no mishap ends up messing with the conference this summer, as I would like to secure my spot and tuition immeditely upon the registration opening.
As far as business sponsors, I have yet to recieve any kind of correspondence, save for the letter returned to me from the Womens' Association that was apparently listed under the wrong address. I haven't lost hope, but I can say that I am disappointed. Even if these places were unable to help me with a monetary donation, I would rather be told so than forever waiting on a reply that may never come.
I technically registered for the conference twice, because I was worried that my results were not counted the first time due to my own computer's fault. In doing so, I recieved two letters detailing my acceptance into the conference, both with different deadlines for accepting my nomination.
If things are going the way they're supposed to be, I would already be on my way to registration. However, in an attempt to relocate my VIP page and check for any important announcements that I could possibly miss, I tried to log in to the website presented to me, and nothing. Knowing that I entered both my correct user and password into the system, it worried me even more when I attempted to change my password and told that no email or username existed for the account I was trying to fix.
I really and truly hope that no mishap ends up messing with the conference this summer, as I would like to secure my spot and tuition immeditely upon the registration opening.
As far as business sponsors, I have yet to recieve any kind of correspondence, save for the letter returned to me from the Womens' Association that was apparently listed under the wrong address. I haven't lost hope, but I can say that I am disappointed. Even if these places were unable to help me with a monetary donation, I would rather be told so than forever waiting on a reply that may never come.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Crash
No one ever wants to see their beloved computer eaten up by an evil nasty virus. However, that was exactly the way I rang in my new year, with a newly restored laptop that I had come to depend on almost exclusively for document retention. My poor stories, saved only by the fact that I'd copied most of them onto my trusty flashdrive.
As for fundraising, the thing is that I know the corporations I have actually sent letters to have recieved them. According to the Post Office, they would have arrived at their destinations by the 14th of December. It's the third day of January, though after the holiday break, I admit that it's also the first day of getting mail. Still though, the 14th?
After walking to my mailbox every day with a look of expectation, I'm not as disappointed to see that the only mail addressed to me comes from colleges. I do hope that these businesses are able to sponsor me - truly. It would mean so much stress being lifted from my family. So I will be patient, and continue to wait while I gather another list of potential sponsors. I hope to get in contact with more by this weekend, and so far am very glad to still have a solid opportunity like this.
Saying that I know I'll be going to George Mason this summer makes my classes so much more tolerable, knowing that all the hard work I'm putting in is paying off in the best way.
Welcome back to work/school,
Leena
As for fundraising, the thing is that I know the corporations I have actually sent letters to have recieved them. According to the Post Office, they would have arrived at their destinations by the 14th of December. It's the third day of January, though after the holiday break, I admit that it's also the first day of getting mail. Still though, the 14th?
After walking to my mailbox every day with a look of expectation, I'm not as disappointed to see that the only mail addressed to me comes from colleges. I do hope that these businesses are able to sponsor me - truly. It would mean so much stress being lifted from my family. So I will be patient, and continue to wait while I gather another list of potential sponsors. I hope to get in contact with more by this weekend, and so far am very glad to still have a solid opportunity like this.
Saying that I know I'll be going to George Mason this summer makes my classes so much more tolerable, knowing that all the hard work I'm putting in is paying off in the best way.
Welcome back to work/school,
Leena
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Pre-New Year Update
It's been at least 2 weeks, and I have yet to hear from ANY of my potential sponsors that I sent letters and press kits to via my local post office. This is kind of discouraging, but I'm going to keep trying and hope that at least one business pulls through and decides to help me out.
In other news, I continue to get excited more and more each day about the conference. Just having the opportunity to meet new people in itself is amazing. I'll be keeping a day by day account here on the Mason Expedition, and also plan to keep you all posted on the events proceeding the conference.
I'm sorry I don't have much else to share, but I hope that everyone had great memories this holiday season, and I wish you all the best,
Leena
In other news, I continue to get excited more and more each day about the conference. Just having the opportunity to meet new people in itself is amazing. I'll be keeping a day by day account here on the Mason Expedition, and also plan to keep you all posted on the events proceeding the conference.
I'm sorry I don't have much else to share, but I hope that everyone had great memories this holiday season, and I wish you all the best,
Leena
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Finally, it uploaded!
The following is an experiment that I decided to conduct after watching a few YouTube videos that had some advice on the journey to internet fame. While I don't see myself becoming a video celebrity, I figured I'd give it a shot:
Hopefully this plays right!
Hopefully this plays right!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Editing Is Hard Work
Alright, so I admit that I haven't actually tried to edit my videos for here, because to be honest, I have a strict in bed before midnight policy. Should I not adhere to it, I am a walking zombie come 5am when I'm expected to be up and slightly alive.
However, I do know that editing isn't easy, because that's all we're doing in Multi-Media right now. I love it, but its difficult when you have a limited amount of material to work with. As for the...three?...videos I've recently been working on, I will have plenty of time to edit when I come home and don't have to be bogged down with assignments due the next day as I'll be out on Friday.
I hope to have everything up and running by Friday, and hopefully breathe some life into my YouTube channel.
Hoping more than one person actually cares enough to read this!,
Leena
However, I do know that editing isn't easy, because that's all we're doing in Multi-Media right now. I love it, but its difficult when you have a limited amount of material to work with. As for the...three?...videos I've recently been working on, I will have plenty of time to edit when I come home and don't have to be bogged down with assignments due the next day as I'll be out on Friday.
I hope to have everything up and running by Friday, and hopefully breathe some life into my YouTube channel.
Hoping more than one person actually cares enough to read this!,
Leena
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Coming to a screen near you!
VIDEOS!
I made about three today, not counting the random clips that I plan to use once I get my head around this Movie Maker stuff that I have discovered I have. I am in the process of collecting tips on YouTube video popularity, and one such video gave me this general idea:
To make it on YouTube, you've gotta be a girl. I was not aware of this, but maybe there's some truth to it. As for dressing up specifically for the camera, I personally have decided it's a no-go. You will probably be seeing me in whatever I decided to wear to school that day. I might be cute, but bum-day is a usual for me, especially when it's as cold as its usually been outside. The only thing that's not 100% legit is the fact that I don't wear my glasses during my videos, because my webcam is evil and produces a really fugly glare.
This guy also said to be as random as possible, make your videos long (the very next video I watched said under 3 minutes, oops.) and make one everyday. You know what? I'm going to try that.
Not only am I shooting for 5 videos a week, I'm also going to vary their content. One day we might be chatting in my room, and the next I'll take you guys on a walk around the block. Maybe elsewhere? This is for a journalism and media conference, so I figure that I should be well-versed in keeping things fresh for the audience.
Tomorrow is going to be more than a little busy what with me going shopping for X-Mas pictures and such, as well as finding time to study for an AP test I JUST found out about, but I will work in some time for video editing and hopefully 2-3 posts by Wednesday night.
I love you guys already, even though I am aware of the fact that only my aunt is following this blog at the moment. I appreciate you Nikki, and yes, I am going to bed now!
Thanks,
Leena
I made about three today, not counting the random clips that I plan to use once I get my head around this Movie Maker stuff that I have discovered I have. I am in the process of collecting tips on YouTube video popularity, and one such video gave me this general idea:
To make it on YouTube, you've gotta be a girl. I was not aware of this, but maybe there's some truth to it. As for dressing up specifically for the camera, I personally have decided it's a no-go. You will probably be seeing me in whatever I decided to wear to school that day. I might be cute, but bum-day is a usual for me, especially when it's as cold as its usually been outside. The only thing that's not 100% legit is the fact that I don't wear my glasses during my videos, because my webcam is evil and produces a really fugly glare.
This guy also said to be as random as possible, make your videos long (the very next video I watched said under 3 minutes, oops.) and make one everyday. You know what? I'm going to try that.
Not only am I shooting for 5 videos a week, I'm also going to vary their content. One day we might be chatting in my room, and the next I'll take you guys on a walk around the block. Maybe elsewhere? This is for a journalism and media conference, so I figure that I should be well-versed in keeping things fresh for the audience.
Tomorrow is going to be more than a little busy what with me going shopping for X-Mas pictures and such, as well as finding time to study for an AP test I JUST found out about, but I will work in some time for video editing and hopefully 2-3 posts by Wednesday night.
I love you guys already, even though I am aware of the fact that only my aunt is following this blog at the moment. I appreciate you Nikki, and yes, I am going to bed now!
Thanks,
Leena
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)