Madam Pince and the Librarians - Stacked

Yep! You guessed it! MPatL is coming out with their first full length album!

STACKED will feature older popular tunes such as:

No Squeeing in the Library
Anthony Goldstein, Are You a Jew (Electric, Live at the Sidewalk Cafe)
and 'Tis the Season to be Guilty

Also, look forward to new songs like:

Harry Potter
Whipped in the Basement
and Astoria Greengrass and the Pissed off Pince

and MORE!

STACKED will be available for pre order on July 31st and will be released on September 1st, just in time for the Hogwarts term to begin!

Love,
Ariel and Kelly

Ariel does not go to Poland/Prague Either

It's official. I was not admitted to the program. This is the second year in a row that I was denied entrance. I think I'm going to email them again and ask what I can do to be a better candidate for next year. Honestly, I don't know what more I can do. I'm a birthright alumn, a college graduate, a grad school student, and an all around nerdy girl with a strong cultural connection to Judaism. I have a full time job, and am pursuing several freelance options. It's obvious that I can handle several things at once. I have a desire to study my culture's history, and to interview and meet primary sources from World War II. I hope to begin collecting research for my future dissertation on storytelling during the Holocaust. I feel it is my duty as a Jew to learn of my people's past and pass it along to the generations to come. I want to teach and be taught.

Seriously. What more do these people want from me?!

On a happier note, I guess it's a good thing that I didn't reach my monetary goal for the summer. The remaining $700 will be rolled over into next summer's savings account for Poland/Prague. Yep. I'm applying again next year. These people are going to get so sick of me, they're going to have to let me in just to shut me up. At least this time I'll have a $700 head start on saving.

Anyway, here's a summer recap (with some minor additions)

JUNE
 - Weekend trip to Philadelphia with Sam
 - Weekend trip to DC for ALA

JULY
 - Weekend trip to Berkshires for July 4th
 - Weekend trip to Orlando for Infinitus

AUGUST
 - Weekend trip to upstate NY for camping trip with Sam

SEPTEMBER
 - Possible 10 day vacation with family

Overall, should be a busy summer. Don't forget I will be attending school the entire time. I think I have enough on my plate. It's going to be a good summer.

PLUS, my band will be releasing a FULL LENGTH ALBUM! Title and release date to come!

Golden Snitch for the Win!

You've already heard my wizard rock spiel, so I'll keep this brief.

Madam Pince and the Librarians. Winner of the 2009 WRPCA for Best Merchandise. Thank you to everyone who nominated and voted for us. We value your friendship and support greatly. It really means a lot that you've heard of us, let alone like us for what we do.

Congratulations to all the other winners, especially to Draco and the Malfoys. Lifetime Achievement award doesn't even begin to cover all you've done for the wizard rock community. You guys are amazing. Thank you.

Keep an eye out for an update on my summer plans and a special Madam Pince announcement in the near future. 

Voting is Open!

Voting is open! The Wizard Rock People's Choice Awards site is now open for voting. As I am sure you know, (unless you've missed my shameless self-promotion over the past week) Madam Pince and the Librarians is up for three amazing awards: Best Holiday Song, Best Merchandise Item, and Best Ravenclaw Band.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with MPatL's work in those categories, I've provided you with some helpful information and links.

Holiday Song:
Anthony Goldstein, You're a Jew - Jingle Spells 3. Chanukah FTW!


Merchandise:
Golden Snitch Necklaces - Designed and crafted by me. And yes, they do open at the close.













Ravenclaw Band:
C'mon. We sing about grammar.  Check out the links below for some grammarlicious songs.
No Squeeing in the Library
Strunk and White (Grammar Rap)
Whipped in the Basement

It's Here!

The long-awaited tax refund has finally graced my bank account with his presence for a few blissful hours. Now it's traveling through cyper space once more to the University of Tennessee's School of Information Sciences. Well, I was rich for a moment. Alas, such is the price of education.


With my goal in site, I can breathe easier. For one more semester I have narrowly avoided taking out a loan. My summer class is paid for in full. The leafy green thermometer to the left reflects this amazing accomplishment. With all of your help (and the $$ boost from the government) I am well on my way to making this summer both educational and mind-bogglingly awesome.

Of course, I am painfully aware that this summer is a mere two months of my life, and a small percentage of my post-graduate education. For this reason, I've filled out and submitted my FAFSA form in hopes of government aid, as well as applied for several scholarships through the University. I will also keep this blog going in order to update you on my monetary progress as well as my self-betterment process throughout the fall semester and beyond.

So, here's what's on tap for the summer.

Picture Book Graduate Course - PAID!
American Library Association National Conference in D.C. - PAID!
Infinitus Harry Potter Conference - Almost PAID!
Poland/Prague - Who the hell knows?

Well, if I get in, I only need $600 more. If I don't get in, I'll probably kick something... and roll over the remaining money to savings account for my Fall Semester web design class. Yes, I am quite excited.

Thank you to everyone who's been reading and helping me on my journey. I've come a long way from zero dollars and zero plans. Come on, guys. We're almost there.

Wizard Rock People's Choice Awards

Well, the WRPCA nominations are up. Thanks to everyone that nominated us, Madam Pince and the Librarians has been nominated for three awards. Three. I am beside myself. Being in  a wizard rock band is a dream that I had for a long time. Wrockstock 2008 finally gave me the kick in the ass I needed, and now it's been two years since the inception of MPatL, and one year since our rebirth as a pin-up girl band. Madam Pince is well on her way.

Thank you.

Hufflepuff is Victorious! (and other updates)

I want to thank all of you for your help in the Harry Potter Alliance's Accio Books Drive. Each house donated hundreds of books, but no house beat Hufflepuff's book donating skills. With 219,260 points we took the cup. Way to go, badgers!

In other news, I am moving ahead with my summer plans. Thanks to my tax refund, things are looking slightly up, and I may narrowly avoid taking a loan out to pay for school. This means that I've finalized my plans for Infinitus. Yep. That's right. "When the theme park's done,  I'm going to Hogwarts!" It's a once in a lifetime journey that I can't pass up. True it's not an eight week course on the Holocaust, but with any luck (and my tax return) I'll be able to afford both trips (if I get accepted). 


For now though, I must concentrate on looming finals, paying bills, and this Friday's wizard rock show at The Sidewalk Cafe. Madam Pince and the Librarians will be sharing the stage with The Volunteer Arms, The Whomping Willows,  Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills, and Draco and the Malfoys. Kelly and I are beyond excited, and looking forward to singing our ode to Ms. Astoria Greengrass once more. Hopefully this time I won't laugh mid-verse. 


Finally, I just want to thank those of you who have been reading for your support. Thanks to your help, (and the IRS) I am closer than ever to reaching my goal. If you too have been blessed by the IRS this April, consider coming out to the Sidewalk Cafe this Friday evening, or perhaps just visiting the links at left as usual. 


I hope you had a wonderful holiday, and are enjoying the glorious weather. 


Go Hufflepuff!

Poland/Prague update:

Waitlisted. So, I now know for sure, that I won't know for sure until May. Seriously, Birthright, what do those other candidates have that I don't?

Anyway, it's been a week since I got the news, and I've dried my eyes. It's now time for me to start to planning my summer anyway.  What I am coming to realize is that I will be insanely busy without the Poland/Prague drama. I must admit, I am slightly worried about maintaining my sanity throughout this time. Here's what I've got planned:

June:
 - Incendio
 - ALA
 - BEA
 - Summer Course

July:
 - Mini vacation with Parents
 - Infinitus
 - Summer Course

August:
 - Summer Course

If I get accepted to the Poland trip, I will have classes on Monday nights from May through the first week in August. The trip will take place following. Add this to my full time job, and I've got a pretty packed summer ahead of me. Whatever else it may be, I know for sure that it will be a great adventure.

Happy Easter and Chag Sameach.

This Event is Currently Full

Unfortunately, I read these words off the Birthright NEXT website this morning. I confess that while I still don't know what it means for me yet, I am getting a bit scared. Again those "what-ifs" took up residence inside my brain. What if they reject me for the second year in a row? What if I got in, but they forgot to tell me and I missed a deadline? What if they just ignore me?

I don't understand how these people work. How can you run a business where no one knows what's going on? These people are playing with my mind. Every morning for the last two months, while still groggy and wiping the sleep from my eyes, I would squint at my computer in hopes of a "Congratulations!" email sitting triumphantly in my inbox. Alas, t'was to no avail. 

This morning, I decided to check their website. "This event is currently full." Seriously? That better mean that you're just not accepting applications, not that you've already accepted this year's applicants, and this is how you're letting me know. I am trying not to panic. I want to email them again, but I've sent them numerous emails over the past few weeks, trying to get a positive answer out of them. I am afraid that I will only make them angry if I keep contacting them.

All I want to do is better myself as a Jew and as a human being. I've been studying the Holocaust since I knew how to read. Now I want to take that studying to an academic level, and possibly begin to flesh out a dissertation. The Holocaust survivors are dying, and I want to hear their stories before they leave this world for good. Please, Birthright, I need this.

Update!

So, I didn't hit $500, but I did clear $300 easily. With the weather getting nicer, I am starting to get worried. As much as I am praying for acceptance into the Poland/Prague program, I have less than half the funds needed to attend. But before I despair, I should remind myself that I just sold four items off my Etsy, several books off my Half.com page, and $60 worth of merch at Wrock Spring Break. With my $10 a week, my new jewelry, and old books, and with another sidewalk show in April, and Sonorus and Incendio in the near future, I am hopeful that even if I cannot make the $3,477 for my summer classes, at least I can hit the $900 needed for Poland and Prague... if I get in. Every little bit helps. I want to thank all of you for your support. It means a lot to me to have such great friends with me every step of the way.

While you guys are helping me, I am helping you and children all across the United states by participating in the Accio Books contest being run by The Harry Potter Alliance. Up until today, Hufflepuff was dominating the standings. Unfortunately, Slytherin has pulled ahead. This is unacceptable. All you 'Puffs out there, GET DONATING! Come on! I've sent roughly 300 Sesame Street books to the Mississippi Delta, and about 100 books to local organizations. We cannot let those sneaky Slytherins beat us. Who's with me?

I know I am asking a lot of you, but if you only have the time and funds for one donation, please donate books through Accio Books. As much as I need your help to further my education, and better myself, the fact remains that I have a Bachelor's Degree, and books, and a comfortable life. There are those who don't even have the chance to have what I have. And it is our job to help those people in need with whatever we can. Also, Hufflepuff winning would totally make my day.

So, in conclusion, please check out Accio Books to donate books to a good cause, and as always, please check out my links at left for the MPatL Live EP, geeky clothing designs, used books/DVDs, and my hand-made muggle and Potter jewelry.

Nobody Expects the Blibbering Humdingers

Unfortunately this turned out to be true. Wrock Spring Break marked the second time that the wrock duo was stuck down south due to a storm. Evil Day 2's epic snow storm kept them in Virginia, while yesterday's rain storm and hurricane like winds, kept Scott and Kirsten on the ground in North Carolina.

When I got the call from Jon, I was just settling in to take a nap before heading down to the Sidewalk Cafe. I had just finished ironing the last crooked letter on the t-shirts I had been making for The Humdingers. They read: (ironically enough) "Nobody Expects The Blibbering Humdingers". Except that just as I lifted the backing off the last "s", the letter itself came off all together. I stared at the shirt, exhausted, and exasperated, vowing to take a short nap, and then re-iron the "s".

Then, the phone rings.

When Jon told me the news, my first thought was "Great! Now it doesn't matter that the shirt says "Humdinger". I unplugged the iron angrily. Why did it have to be that every time they were supposed to play in New York, that the weather just didn't cooperate? On top of this, Kelly and I were playing our first Sidewalk show together, and now our own friends were threatening not to come because of the rain.

I hurried to my computer and typed out the best guilt trip email I could manage, and sent it out to the group mailing list. I was miserable. My family and friends were coming from Long Island to hear me sing. What if they didn't come? What if they came, and they were the only ones there? What if other bands didn't come? What if- what if. Instead of spiraling into a Shel Silverstein poem, I decided to take a long hot shower. When I emerged, I was still upset, but my anger had gone. Kelly and I would play the show, and we would have a great time doing it. No matter what.

I put on my dress, gathered my suitcase of merch, and with Sam's help, made my way down to the East Village. After two missed trains, and the struggle of getting a cab in the rain, Kelly, Mike, Sam, and I made it safely to The Sidewalk Cafe with three instruments, a pedal board, a macbook, an amp, and my suitcase. We were soaking wet and worried. This was it.

When we made our way inside, we were welcomed by wet friends who braved the weather to support us. After some damp hugs, Kelly and I set to work setting up merch and our equipment. It was with many sighs, that we informed Amos the sound guy, that we would be rearranging the schedule to make up for the missing Humdingers.

At 7:15, the show began. Potter Ink was amazing. Playing original songs, as well as covers, she set the evening off to a wonderful start. My favorite part was when she covered The Remus Lupins' Lookin' for Trouble, and the entire audience sang the bah-bah's for her. I started to relax.

Next up were the always fabulous Bella and Le Strangers. As usual, their harmony was heavenly. Seeing them perform always puts me in a good mood. Unfortunately I was in the bathroom during my favorite song: Rodolphus, but I still heard it loud and clear, and danced along while washing my hands. I think the other women were slightly afraid.

Kelly, and I were up next. And even though Mike was calm and collected as he set up our guitars, we were terrified. Soon the three of us stood in front of our mics and began with an old favorite: Anthony Goldstein. You'd think we would start to relax after this, but no. Kelly and I had our knees locked to keep them from shaking for the whole set. Mike's another story. He played the guitar and bass with ease. I wish he could rub some of that calmness off on us. We coasted through the rest of the set. My family, at their first wizard rock show, was smiling from the audience. The small crowd standing in front of the stage was singing our own lyrics back us. Sam's face grinning from the back gave me a perfect focal point. According to our friends, despite our trembling knees, Madam Pince and the Librarians pulled off a great show. Before heading off stage, however, we had one more song. One that we were both terrified and excited to sing. Astoria Greengrass and the Pissed off Pince. (Parental Advisory!) Yep. We filked Swish and Flick. And, it wasn't exactly very nice. Honestly, the things that that girl does in our library is disgraceful! Luckily, she had a good sense of humor and loved it. We did it because we love that song, and you, Stacy. It was a great ending to our set. We left the stage still shaking, but grinning. We did it.

Next and last up was the one and only Swish and Flick. And they killed it. Stacy and John had the room pulsing with energy as they performed some of my favorite songs: Slytherin Weekend, Quidditch Witch, Hogwarts House Party, My Dad is Rich on a Boat, (to which I sang along to every lyric, much to my family's confusion as to why we were singing about rich dad/dead dad) and for the first time live: Amortentia.

It was a wonderful show, and I want to thank Stacy for helping me organize it, Jon for helping to get the word out, everyone that performed, all my friends and family who braved hurricaine winds to support us, and of course The Blibbering Humdingers who were there in spirit. It seems that New York has some vendetta against North Carolina, but I hope against hope that Scott and Kirsten will make it some day. It will be an amazing moment when no one expects The Blibbering Humdingers, yet there they'll be, at the Sidewalk Cafe, telling all the 'Puffs to "Make me a sandwich...."

Random Acts of Craft

I know I've mentioned my jewelry several times since starting this blog, and I thought I'd tell you the story of how I got started.

Several years ago a co-worker of mine introduced me to the joys of jewelry making. We'd been chatting early one winter morning, and as she took off her coat, I noticed the beautiful pendant dangling from a silver chain that hung around her neck. "That's beautiful," I informed her. She replied with a shy smile. "Thanks, I made it." Those four words were ones I eventually wanted to utter myself. I asked her how she made it, and soon I found myself speed walking down Broadway toward my new Mecca: New York City's Fashion District.

As with all new projects, I became very excited and promptly purchased a set of three pliers, several feet of silver chain, a plethora of charms, and the obligatory jump rings, clasps, and other such hardware. After a brief lesson conducted in the cramped aisles of Beads World, I rushed home to begin work on my first charm bracelet. After closing the last jump ring on a shiny red strawberry charm, I was hooked.

The next afternoon found me once again at Beads World. This time I had a field day picking out a rainbow of crystals. You'd be surprised how little $100 worth of stuff can weigh. I made my way home with enough supplies to make an entire line of Hogwarts jewelry. That evening I paired the yellows with the blacks, the greens with silvers, the scarlets with golds, and the blues with silvers and bronzes. Over the next few weeks I made more than fifteen pairs of earrings and a few necklaces. I went to work selling.

Of course, as with all projects I start, I soon became quite bored. I needed a new subject. The house earrings were selling, but quite slowly, and I was hardly breaking even. I went back to Beads World. As I browsed their aisles for what seemed like hours, I came across the most perfect idea. Hidden amongst the clasps, was the most brilliant clasp a Harry Potter fan has ever seen. Its round golden figure sparkled in the flourescent lighting with it's rhinestone polka dots. I had found the Golden Snitch.

It was a piece of cake then to locate silver and gold wings to match. I returned home and made my first of many Golden Snitch necklaces. With their unique design (the clasp is the snitch, and therefore closes in the front), they soon became my best selling item. While I continue to make House Color earrings and necklaces, I now concentrate mostly on the Snitches. You can see most of my latest work (Potter and muggle) on my Etsy store: Random Acts of Craft, as well as at the merch table at any Wizard Rock show in which MPatL is performing.

Come to Wrock Spring Break this Saturday night at The Sidewalk Cafe (7pm) to get a sneak peek of my latest line of jewelry. If you like what you see, please let me know, so that I can have the chance to utter those four beautiful words: "Thanks, I made it."

Hope to see you there.

Fundraising Update

My fund raising is moving ahead slowly but steadily. With $235 in my savings account, several sales on my half.com website, and this Saturday's Wizard Rock show, I am hopeful that I will reach $500 by the end of the weekend.

Unfortunately I cannot give you any update on the Poland/Prague situation, because I've recently been told I need to wait an additional two weeks for my answer. If I could reach my toenails, I'd be biting them too. 

To pass the time, last night I decided to get started on a bit of spring cleaning.  I found more books/games/CDs/DVDs that I no longer need, so I added them to my half.com page (link at left).  I also did some tidying up around my CafePress and Zazzle stores. You should check those out too.

Speaking about cleaning up, my office space at Sesame Workshop was recently overrun with extra samples of books. Sound books, board books, workbooks, and sticker books are stacked precariously on wobbly book carts in our narrow hallways. Our small department has become a maze. And, being as short as I am, it's more than likely that I will get a book on my head before the day is through.

Luckily however, there is a perfect solution: Accio Books! Accio Books is a House Cup competition organized by the Harry Potter Alliance. Each house is competing to donate the most books to the Mississippi Delta area. Last year, Ravenclaw won. This year, I am determined for it to be Hufflepuff. How lucky is it that I am in the perfect position to donate books? Just this afternoon, I donated 200 Sesame Workshop books to the Delta Center for Culture and Learning. At ten points a piece, that's 2,000 points for Hufflepuff. Now, don't think this means you can relax! Slytherin is nipping at our heels, and I will not let those sneaky snakes beat us. And if you happen to be a Slytherin reading this, know this: no matter what you bring, I have an entire library of books just waiting to be sent. We will be victorious. Come on, fellow 'Puffs! Let's show 'em what we've got!

So, even though my plans for the entire summer are still up in the air, it's a sunny day here on Sesame Street and in the Mississippi Delta. My karma is up, and the clutter is down. I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful beginning of Spring.

Spring Break!

It's officially the second week in March, and I have not yet heard from the JEC about my pending application to the Mini Master's Program. Honestly, this is cruel and unusual punishment.

On a happier note, it's Spring Break! I didn't think that grad students reaped the benefits of Spring break, but I was wrong. For one blissful week I have no classes. And what better way for a nerdy wanna-be librarian to celebrate? Organize a Wizard Rock show of course! This Saturday, March 13th, at the Sidewalk Cafe PotterInk, Swish and Flick, Bella and Le Strangers, Madam Pince and the Librarians, and for the first time in New York: The Blibbering Humdingers will be performing. I'm calling it: Wrock Spring Break. Of course, the fact that MPatL will be playing in a line-up of some of the most amazing wrock bands, means that all the time not spent doing school work, will be spent in daily band practices. I must say, we are a bit nervous about this show. Not only will we debut a brand new song, but my entire family will be in the audience. That's right. My mother, my father, my aunt, and two uncles will be present. I swear Murphy's law is toying with me. It's a wonder I haven't skipped work for even more practices.

Anyway, each band will be selling merch, along with the New York Chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance: NYDA. Madam Pince and the Librarians is going to be selling Live EPs, Jingle Spells 3, lots of jewelry, buttons, and our tshirts. For those of you who haven't seen our logo, here it is below. There's a nice closeup on the left, and a beautiful pair of models (Irvin Khaytman, Misty Lux) on the right. Shirts are $15 ($20 with s/h) and are a fabulous addition to any nerdy wardrobe. (I'm biased.) We have all sizes from S-XXL including women's sizes. Contact me for details.














I hope to see a lot of you on Saturday. Murphy's Law or not, it's sure to be an amazing evening filled with love, laughs, and wizard rock.

Happy Spring Break!

P.S. And as always, many thanks to everyone who is helping me in reaching my goal. We are moving ahead slowly but surely! Keep it up!

School's On for Summer!

Well, I've registered for the summer semester. IS 590: Picture Books Across the Curriculum with Amelia Bell. I would tell you more about the class, but unfortunately it's a special summer course, and has no write-up in my catalog. But as far as some of my other choices: IS 553: Specialized Information Agencies and Services or IS 534: Government Information Sources, Picture books seemed a good way to go. Of course, I may very well find myself in 534 come Fall anyway. I know it sounds kind of boring, but being as I've exhausted UT's young adult courses, I need to think further about a possible career path.

In my ideal world, I'd become the next Betsy Bird or head up Young Adult Services at the New York Public Library. Of course, in order to do that, I'd have to move to a studio apartment in another borough to afford to eat. So, before I pack my boxes and hop a train to BedStuy, I thought I would contemplate another subject on which to concentrate while I am in school. Since I recently learned that an academic library might require too much schooling, (I would need a second master's! One is enough for now!) I've been entertaining the idea of a corporate library. It's not the most karma-full job I could get, but I would still be doing what I love, and have enough money to eat.

Of course, I could remain in the publishing world and use my librarian knowledge to help me move ahead in this field. For right now, this is exactly what I am doing. Eventhough I won't be taking that course in E-Publishing this year, I hope to do that soon. Publishing is a huge part of the librarian world, but none of them seem to know much about it. Publishers and librarians are on the opposite side of the book universe. I believe it is a huge advantage to be learning both in great detail.

Just the other day, when my professor asked the class to discuss manuscripts versus books, my virtual "hand" shot up in the air. I was so glad to have something to share. Most of my classmates have at least one master's degree and already work in libraries. I often feel that I am at a disadvantage because of this. However, this last class gave me hope that I too can contribute knowledge from my own experience and enrich the lives of others as they have done for me. Perhaps what I am doing (besides dropping $10,000 a year on school) is special. Perhaps not. I really don't know yet. But I do know that starting June 3rd, 2010, I will be moving one step closer to finding out.

Stuff I Make

As promised, here is a healthy dose of self promotion. I make jewelry. If you add this fact to my love of Harry Potter, you get: Hogwarts Jewelry. Now you can show off your house pride with my house color earrings. As I am sure you noticed, the only houses represented below are Slytherin and Ravenclaw. It seems no one wants to be a Gryffindor lately, and I am completely sold out of Hufflepuff. The ones you see below are representative my entire line. While they all share color schemes and designs, no earring is exactly the same. Most are one of a kind. If you see something you like below, please let me know! All earrings are $10 ($12 with shipping).





In other news, my artwork has also been featured on another blog. This one is run by the wonderful Corinna, founder of Booze and Yarn, and is called First Craft of Spring. "On March 20th, 2010 Booze & Yarn, along with artists working in every medium will be “planting” daffodils across this urban landscape, as a statement that grassroots organizing CAN make a difference." Please check out the blog for more details, as well as a blurb on my daffodils.

Ok, I think that's enough self promotion from me, today. I shall briefly mention that my grand total has broken $200 thanks to another tshirt sale. I am also still waiting to hear from the Birthright office about my satus for the Poland/Prague trip. According to their last email to me, I should have an answer by Friday the 5th. In the meantime, I will have to occupy myself with homework, final projects, taxes, band practice, and the rest of my life.

On My Way to ALA

So, it's not London, and I won't be paying any visits to the Oxford Library any time soon, but the Library of Congress is a pretty good consolation prize.

I will be attending the ALA national conference in Washington D.C. this June. I've officially purchased my student badge, along with an inexpensive YALSA extra event. In addition to wandering around the Washington Convention Center weaving through booths of bookish goodness, I will have several 3 minute chats with YA authors over coffee. It might not be as cool as wandering the Oxford gardens in search of Will and Lyra's bench, but it's pretty darn cool. From June 25 - 28, I will be in librarian heaven. So far, I am the only one I know that is going. If you plan on attending, please let me know in the comments, and perhaps we can arrange to meet up.

As far as the rest of my summer, I am still waiting to hear back from the Birthright office about Poland/Prague. They've told me that I'll be hearing this week. The longer I wait, the shorter my nails get. It's not a pretty picture. As for school, I have yet to register for the summer semester, but I am thinking that Resources for Children looks like a pretty good choice.

I am still working on raising money for these endeavors, and I am happy to announce that I've earned enough for the entirety of ALA, including transportation (thank you, Megabus). I am still working out lodging, but with an abundance of friends and family in the area, it looks like couch surfing is a viable option.

My total amount raised is now 185.02 (that two cents is thanks to ING's 1.15% intrest rate.) With weekly deposits of $10, plus an upcoming freelance project, and wizard rock show, I'd say I'm off to a steady start with all of your help. Keep an eye out later this week for shameless promotions of my own jewlery. In the meantime, check out the links at the left, and visit my CafePress and Zazzle stores, as well as my used media store on Half.com. If you really want to give me an ego boost, check out my MPatL EP: Live at the Sidewalk Cafe. It's only $6.

On a completely different note, it's a beautiful day in New York City today. The snow is still on the ground, shining in the cool winter morning. It's the first day of March, and although the lion is still very much in our midst, I can feel the lamb beginning to stretch its legs, and take it's first steps toward Spring.

In my dreams...

So, everyone, it seems that I had been dreaming when I thought I might be able to pull this off. Even if I managed to raise enough money with your help, (I cannot thank you enough for your kindness) blowing 8k for 12 days seems a bit much. It really hurts to say this, but the trip is just way out of my league, and I am better off with a stateside class that will only run me $3,500, rather than more than twice the cost. The fact that I could take TWO classes for the price of one in London, is painful. Therefore, I've decided to take another route.

I will still take a class this summer, although it will be from the comfort of my bedroom via my school's distance education program. In addition, instead of schlepping across the Atlantic, I will take a Megabus down to DC to attend my first ALA conference. As a library student and future librarian, it is essential that I immerse myself as much as possible in the world of librarianship. While having been an ALA member for two years, I've never attended an event. This one is close enough to home (with friends' couches in close proximity) that I can manage it.

In addition to my DC expedition, I have also applied for one other study abroad program. This one, at a fraction of the cost. As a Birthright Israel alumnus, I am eligible to partake in a program called the Mini Masters. This program is an 8 week program in New York City that will study the Holocaust. Upon completion of this course, students will embark on a ten day journey through five towns in Poland and ending up in Prague for some much needed rest and relaxation. While this program does not give me graduate credit, it will give me a wonderful life experience, and help to shape me as I move further into adult life. Unfortunately, (you knew that was coming, didn't you) I have to be accepted first. I've been told to expect a decision sometime during the first week of march. The suspense is killing me.

Now that my plans have completely changed, I must address how many of you agreed to help me. My friends, my family, you are amazing. Your willingness to start campaigns, buy t shirts, and attend shows touched me deeply. I simply cannot in good conscience throw that money away on twelve days. The trip to Poland/Czech Republic will cost a mere fraction of the London trip. Clocking in at $1,000, I could go to Poland, take a summer course, and attend ALA for LESS than 12 days in London.

That said, I really enjoy blogging (so far). And I intend to keep this up, still chronicling my quest for self betterment this summer. I hope you will stick with me on my journey, and hopefully celebrate along with me when I (God willing) get accepted into the Mini Masters program.

So, it is with bittersweet feelings that I close this entry. London will still remain a dream for me for now. If you still wish to help me, toward my lesser monetary goal, you are more than welcome, and I would be more than honored. I will be adjusting the fund raising thermometer to represent my new goal of $5k.

Thank you all again for your readiness to support me. Your friendship means so much to me, and I am lucky to have you all in my life.

Why I Want to go to London

Good evening, everyone. Yesterday morning I received the good news that I was accepted into the London Study Abroad program with the University of Tennessee's School of Information Sciences. This remained wonderful news until I saw that the two week trip would cost roughly $8,000. Yep. That's an eight and THREE zeroes.

For those of you who don't know, I have been working at Sesame Workshop for the last five years. Sesame Workshop is the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street and so much more. I love what I do. Giving back to the community, and helping children all over the world learn to read, write, and grow, is an amazing feeling. In addition to editing Elmo books, I also donate hundreds of books every month to underprivileged schools, community centers, day cares, hospitals and more.

I love the feeling of helping others so much, that it is a major part of my leisure time as well. As I am sure a lot of you know, I am an active member in the Harry Potter fandom. As a part of this global group, I have built houses in New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity, raised money for Darfur, gay rights, animal shelters, and most recently helped raise more than $100,000 for hurricane relief in Haiti.

Now, I understand that I have a roof over my head, and three meals a day, and a steady job. I do not need money. However, if I want to continue my education, and get one step closer to being a card carrying librarian, I do need help. I am trying to raise $8,000 which will pay for tuition, the program fee, airfare, and room and board.

I am not suggesting you just send me your money. I don't want this to be a charity. What I am suggesting, is that you think of me if you have some extra cash to spend on T-shirts, CDs, (Madam Pince and the Librarians) or jewelry. If owning more stuff is not your thing, I am also experienced as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. If you need anything edited from TV scripts, to cover letters, to resumes, to business reports, let me know.

The purpose of this blog is to give you updates on everything that I am doing to reach my goal (like cooking more often, and putting that money into my savings account, instead of into restaurants). I am also open to other suggestions for fund raising, but I repeat, this is not a charity. I want to earn this, and make sure you're getting something in return.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you.