Hello tumblr friends,

So! I am in need of some help. 

Honestly, it took me a long time to get the courage to put this thing together. I kept going back and forth - do I ask for help, or don’t I? I was pretty much decided against asking for help, but then a friend re-shared Amanda Palmer’s viral video “The Art of Asking” with me. The optimism of the video was infectious, and something just clicked inside my brain; it was okay for me to ask for help, that there was nothing shameful about it, and that I might be surprised by peoples’ kindness. 

Let me restate my purpose: I am really, really in need of some help. Really!

Last semester, I applied to the University of St. Andrews to study medieval history for one semester. I was overjoyed when I was accepted into their program, but the reality of my financial situation soon became apparent. While one semester at the University of St. Andrews is less expensive that one semester at Marlboro College, I am a student who relies primarily on scholarship and grant money to fund my education. Marlboro has been kind enough to extend the amount of funds I am given in federal grants and loans for a semester towards my study abroad program, but that still leaves some amount of money not covered. Due to my financial situation at home, my single mother is not able to help contribute towards any of the costs for my program. And while I am working two jobs this summer to help cover the remainder, the cost of my plane ticket is still left unpaid for. To some, the sum of a twelve hundred dollars will seem very small and inconsequential - but for me, it could be what determines whether or not I’m able to go. 

The University of St. Andrews is a beautiful university located in Fife, Scotland. Roughly six hundred years old, the university is brimming with traditions and texts I would not otherwise be able to access at my home institution. Most valuable to me, however, is the quality of its educational program. There I will be able to receive formal instruction on early medieval Mediterranean history and gather necessary research for my graduating senior thesis. 

I will be handing out small gifts to everyone who donates! This is to show my sincere gratitude and appreciation for everyone assisting me during this time. Below the link are several levels set out that will give you some idea of what you can to expect for different amounts given.

For everyone who donates I will be sending out a bi-weekly email newsletter about my trip that will include photographs, anecdotes, small diary excerpts and interesting facts from my courses. Included in the email will be a link to a Flickr account that I will be continually updating with new pictures. I’m a bit obsessive about photograph taking, so there will be plenty of pictures to look at! 

If you are unable to give, I completely understand! Believe me, I do. But if you can, please share this with your friends and family and keep me in your thoughts.

Here’s the link to give: http://www.gofundme.com/39fjew

With all my love,
Raina 

megumiovvo:

chuck-charles:

i made a makeup tutorial for all my fellow feminists out there bye

jfc

watch it

(Source: chibigordonramsay)

I’m giving my prof two days to respond to my email, or I’m sicking Sunny (the receptionist) on him. 

Amer’s writing me a letter of rec, so I just need him to come through for this grant application. If I could get it, it would make paying for St. Andrews so much less stressful. 

 Adam’s usually golden, too. But sometimes he has issues with proper email correspondence. Email sent to him at 2:00 AM about a paper question? Ten minutes later, the man responds and laughs at me for being too “byzantine” in my historical thinking (hardy fucking ha ha) and telling me not to over-complicate things BUT THEN. 

 radio silence. 

argh asljsfkldfj

answer your email pleaSE!!?! 

scottytres:

laconicllama:

ihaveacookie:

lizawithazed:

best. flashmob. ever.

I am legit in tears.

literally the best thing ever.

I have goosebumps

that crescendo gets me every time.

This is just really great.

(Source: magneticpie)