Hi everyone! This post comes extremely late, but we've been at Kumoricon all weekend and got back to Austin very late on Monday. So my apologies, but I hope you understand.

Now that the formalities are done, I can try to piece together the colossal amount of gratitude I feel for everyone who donated. Not only were we able to pay for my semester of school (yay!) but I was also able to purchase my books with the little extra that was left over. First, let me say that I was skeptical about asking you for money. Not only was the deadline extremely short, but these are hard times and everyone is feeling strain of the economy. There is something just incredibly humbling that so many people wanted to help me, especially since it's not their responsibility to put me through school. So I guess what I'm trying to say is "THANK YOU" - those words don't really seem to describe the pure thanks that I feel, but I don't have much else to go with.

Just so you all know, I tried every option I could think of before asking you guys. I always max-out my options for grants and federal loans before I move on to private loans. It's what I've done for the past 4 years and I've never had a problem with getting a private loan until this year. Evidently, because of the economy, the loan companies aren't allowing people to take out loans unless they (or their co-signer) have a credit score of at least 800. Did you read that? 800! I think the national average is somewhere around 680. We just looked it up and the highest average by state is 710. Who the hell has credit above 800? (Please don't email me if you do - it'll just make me feel worse about myself.) Anyways, so it's pretty much a no for me or any of my family members who are willing to co-sign my loan. Of course, the decision doesn't get to me until the week that my money is due. I exhausted all of my other options and had to come grovel at your computer screens. Let me tell you though, I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of something that has so many thoughtful and kind people attached to it - I've always kind of thought of you guys as family.

OK, so you guys know what this means? You are all officially invested into my education and I owe it to you guys to discuss my graphic design "talents" every so often. So I'll start blogging here more often and I'll start probably next week.

I've still got next semester to save for, but you guys really saved the day and I want you to know how incredibly touched I am. Thanks again!