Waiting....

I'm realizing that patience will have to be a very big part of my pursuit of this fellowship. The e-mail notification came in early March. I followed all the instructions like a good boy and still have not yet received any more info, offer letters, etc. "Has it been revoked?!" "Has the economy trashed their endowment?" "Did I not really get the darn thing!?"

I was freaking out because I'm out of my apartment at the end of June and have no funding from my graduate program for next year. While crashing on my girlfriend's couch does seem appealing, I'm sure it would get old pretty quick. I'd burned my bridges....what was going on?

I knew I had to do something, so I began e-mailing, but the foundation isn't great at getting back to you when you e-mail them. So, while complaining about it one day to a member of the department's staff, I was advised to just call, and then call again, then call again. So, I started to do that. Left two messages and then, yesterday, on the third try called again and finally got the head of the foundation on the phone. He knew exactly who I was and why I was calling and allayed my fears: "We were waiting for everyone to accept and then we send out the letters." Nothing was lost in the mail. No problems. I wasn't dreaming. I really did get it. The letters (with additional information, I'm assuming) will be mailed out this or next week.

So, I'm still waiting, but freaking out a little bit less.