Fear not

I am still alive-- the paper work is still in progress, the itenerary details are still tentative, and Final Exams week is approaching fast. I've been well, been ill, finished two paintings and a series of intaglio prints, and gotten appointed to lead the Artists and Designers club for next year. It's not even May yet!

I will try to have some pictures posted on this page in another week, as I find time between final projects. Much of my time is devoted to sleeping and biking around in the warming weather (mmm... Spring).

With school almost out for summer, it's almost time to start summer school! There is no rest for the wicked :D I am taking 5 credits before I run off to Belgium-- where working on the castle will get me 4 more credits (which count toward the history minor I just added to my degree). My painting class has a final exhibition next Tuesday, print-making is done tomorrow (I'll be up late tonight finishing a few pieces...). I am actually looking forward to my art history/theory finals-- one is a group project and the other is a pair of short essay questions on Surrealism.

Yesterday I discovered another "registration fee" from the Study Abroad office-- darn hidden charges! I also got an International Student ID, and found out why the paperwork hasn't been finished yet (the program office @ EIU hasn't posted final tuition totals for the program).

In other news, the weather has improved significantly and I've got the keys to my next apartment. Woohoo!

meanwhile, back at the ranch

I’ve been swamped with school the last couple weeks, but progress is being made on ‘the adventure'-- homework be damned :D
The last peice of paperwork has been submitted, now I just have to wait and see if it all goes through without a hitch. I still need to print up a picture of myself to put on an international student ID-- which gets you discounts here and there.
I got a nice surprise in my inbox the other day; my friend Veronique replied to a postcard I sent a few months ago. This ups the number of contacts 'in the field' to three, and I am looking forward to seeing them before getting in the trenches at Walhain St. Paul.
Speaking the project in particular, I've been communicating with the site supervisor about the possible trip to Rome and also the potential side projects at the site. Apparently there is some mapping to be done-- recording finds and progress-- which many people find tedious, but I suspect I will enjoy (it's not like I _like_ drawing or anything...). There have also been a number of email messages from other group members, and more information about living in and travelling around Europe. I'm goint to run my basic plans by the supervisor and see what tips she comes up with. I forgot I'll be over there in the "busy season" for tourism, which is kind of annoying, but will certainly add flavor to this endeavor.
More soon (unless painting studio eats me alive :D