Some good news & some bad

[kvnband]

Well, as we all know, good news is almost always accompanied by horrible news. So, here's the story:

Today, I'm sitting in trig class & I get an envelope. All pretty and foily and stuff, from The University of Central Arkansas. I open it up, and, low and behold, I've been invited to tour Europe with an orchestra next summer. I thought, "Wow, this is awesome. I wonder how much it costs.". So, I continue to read the paper, and notice that I must have $500 by June 15. Another $800 by November 15. That is all the letter says about money. So, I actually got my hopes up. Then, when I got home, I realized that there is no way that $1300 can be enough money for a 16 day trip to Europe. So I call their number. The deal is that I have to pay the rest of the $3000 dollar fee by February 15. Now I'm in a state of half way depression. I don't want to talk to anyone or anything like that. The trip is 16 days long, and includes visits to: England, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, and Germany. In each of those places I would get to visit lots of places. It's like a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can't go because I simply don't have the money. Just thought I'd vent for awhile.

Sorry to make you read this..

Kevin

[Graehstone]

What is the total amount of money you need to come up with and by when?
It would truely be a shame if you did not get to go as you are correct in saying that it would be a once in a life time deal.
I grew up there and have been to all those places, so I know what wonderful and memorable things would await you.

[kvnband]

The total amount, if I've read right, is around $3000. That pays for meals, tickets, hotels, transportation, etc etc.....

have to have 500 by June 15, and 800 by November 15. I would ask the parents, but we seriously are in a tight spot. Dad has been laid off for about a month and a half and just went back to work today, and we've got bills and just oh so much crap to take care of. I'm trying to be positive about it, but...Well, you know how it is. I just don't see how I could ever go. (OH, and my dad grew up about 5 years of his life in Norway. His family had and still has a lot of money, but he didn't get the money making genes. And I will be calling my rich grandma, and my rich grandpa (they're divorced, so that's twice as much money) HOpefully I can get something out of them, but I just don't know....

Kevin

[The Outlaw]

Kevin:

I wish I could cut you a check. However, I'm too poor. I will tell you this, however, there are MANY opportunities that will open up to you. Some will be timely and work out just fine. Others will be laden with obstacles. Frankly, knowing the state of affairs all around the world right now, I don't think I'd want my 16 year old traveling abroad just now. IF you really want to go, you will, and on your terms.

THE OUTLAW

[TooLover]

Pretty poor here myself; Nancy brought up a really good point - I don't know that I would want my teenager traveling right now anywhere with everything that is going on!
I believe everything happens for a reason, so am anxious to hear how this works out...............

[blueroseaviary]

Ok Kevin,

You take on so much responsibility. Why don't you tell your parents about it? Honestly, be a kid and let them make the decision on whether or not they can afford it. What's the worst thing that can happen?

My kid does this to me, he will not participate in school activities because he doesn't want to ask me for the money. It is my job to worry about the finances, and his to be the kid. It really made me feel bad that he wasn't coming to me and letting me know what was going on. We were on a very tight budget last year while I was on maternity leave, but that was only temporary. We didn't have the money to go and blow at Disneyland every weekend, but I had some saved for important things. I just wish he would have let me know about the band activities.

Ok, so I did fork out the money for the band stuff this year.... and then he didn't even want to go.... lolololol. He went anyway and had a wonderful time. Kids!!!!

I hope this didn't sound like a lecture. I don't want my kids to miss out on anything if I can afford it, and I'll bet your parents don't want you to either if they can afford it.

[Crebain]

3 grand is a hell of a lot to pay for a trip to Europe. My advice is to wait until you're 18, and look for some cheap fares. I went over there a few years back for less than a thousand.

I'm very suspicious about the sender of the frilly invitation. Chances are they make a tidy profit on these trips ... check them out before you call anyone else.

[kvnband]

Yes, they do make a profit. If they didn't, then they would no longer be in business. They have been doing these trips for 35 years, and they are legit. Several of my (slightly better off) friends have taken this trip before, and loved it. OH, and, not being rude, but I doubt that you got:

Transportation to England
16 Nights in a hotel
2 meals a day
English speaking guide
Transportation to 7 different countries, and tickets to attractions there
Transportation back to the US

for less than 1000 bucks

And, I would really like the chance to be in this band. The trip isn't all, the band means something to me too.

Kevin

[crazy4birds]

Hey kevin!
i say go 4 it! if u have the money that is...if i still played the claranete and got offered something like that then i would deffinatley go! my older sister went around the world and sang in the continentals and she got all the money from friends and a garage sale!

[Joel]

Ok, here is what I propose Kevin does what he can for himself FIRST and we all do for him if that fails.........Of course we can't be giving money to everyone with a personal problem or wish etc.......Heck, I already gave up my wish of getting a digital camera for my B-Day from all you guys/gals. BUT KEVIN is our leader and keeps this board going, where would we all be without him :?: ??????.....Hmmmmm, Well, I could go to Jai Alai more often but that is besides the point!!!!........Our Kevin has talent and he must go places. Remember he is first chair, first row quality or something like that. He is also going to send us free concert tickets one day when he becomes famous, RIGHT KEVIN!!!!!???????

Kevin, hit up those rich family members FIRST and your other relatives and local friends & neighbors etc. and have a garage sale or whatever first. If all else fails, I think we (those of us who care that is) should dig deep into our pockets and come up with something to donate to Kevin's dream trip. I AM SURE THAT IF KEVIN DOES NOT GET UP ENOUGH TO GO, from our help, then he will refund everything back to everyone, RIGHT KEVIN?. Ya can't keep it to buy a new TUBA or something!!!! :P ...........Come on now everyone, NO SOB STORIES, DIG DEEP or rob a bank or two ......J/K on the bank comment in case the feds are looking in tonight.....

I'm sure Kevin is way SMART enough to MAKE SURE/POSITIVE that everything is legit and none of us lose our donations to anything that isn't on the up and up......Well, that is my suggestion, ducking for cover now.

Kevin, I know ya didn't ask for it but ya can count on me for a donation AFTER you exhaust all possibilities from your end of course. If ya don't go, I WANT IT BACK, I know where ya live DUDE!!!!!!.......Don't forget to hit up those RICH relatives FIRST for the "WHOLE THING" if possible, give them your BEST SOB story.......... .........Later (Remember now, I want my free concert tickets someday). :)