Note: don't look at the icon. I don't feel happy, but well, I'm not miserable neither. The emoticon option is not working. I'm just blank.

Hello, thank you very much for all your support on my last journal. It's been a hard month again, we lost 2 cats in 2 weeks,both because of stupid accidents, so it's been really difficult again for all of us, mostly for me.

I come to my DA journal because of the diversity of the friends I have here, to ask you for help and advice on 2 different matters.

First. I'm decided to make a big investment and purchase a new camera. A digital SLR. The options I have are a Canon 30D, a Canon XSi and, Canon XS, a Sony Alpha A200 and a Nikon D40. All of them are expensive, that's why I will ask my family for help. My first choice would be the Canon 30D or hopefuly a Canon 40D if it is available in my town this year.

If you know about photography, please help me with this. I've only had normal digital cameras, and well, my semi-pro Sony DSC-H7 and I want to jump to a more professional digital camera, as I'm also waiting for my dad to ask his old camera to a friend he lent it to a few years ago for him to use it for work. That old camera is a Canon, that still uses film O.O I've never tried one of those, so I'm excited about it.

So if you have any advice, it will be deeply appreciated. I'm planning to tell my family and friends that instead of buying me a random present, they can give me the $$ to start a fund and get the cash I need for my new camera.

I might build a photography portfolio, because I printed yesterday some old pics and OMG, some of them are really good! >.< yes, my cats are good models!

And the second matter in this journal is to ask you for a favor.

I've been tracking scholarships for short courses focused on art. I've found a foundation that offers a course in Valencia, Spain but this year is too late to send my application. It's a 6 month's master course and I might probably aply for it next year. It helps you with more than 1000 euros that covers the 85% of the course's cost and I only have to pay $200 euros for the rest. 850 euros as monthly help for home and food and well. I would only have to pay for my own expenses.

But if you know of any short course's scholarship that suits a starter on art, let me know,please! I'm looking for courses either on Canada, Italy (english spoken or that offers a basic Italian language course), any country of Europe that's english spoken or Spain (highly preferred!). Of course, with a scholarship because I can't afford the whole cost of any course

If you know of any of this courses that could help me, let me know! I won't be able this year, but perhaps in 1 or 2 years I'll be able to afford it.

I would deeply appreciate it

I don't mention USA because of the Visa. I need to have a good amount of money on my bank account and a steady job to secure the visa aproval. I can't do it yet But if you know of any course there, let me know too so I can save the info and if I get the visa, I would definetely take the chance.

I appreciate all your help and patience, thank you for understanding that this has been a very tough year for me, hopefuly things will be on its place soon and I'll be able to breath again. In the mean time, just let me organize my ideas and I'll be able to deliver all the stuff I still owe to all of you!

Big hugs, have a wonderful weekend.