A message to Vetrate Artistiche Toscane

Oh, the long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear

I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
leads me to your door

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears

Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here?
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
Many times I've cried
Anyway, you'll never know
The many ways, I've tried

And still they lead me back
To the long, winding road
You left me standing here

A long, long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

Many times I've been alone
Many times I've cried
Anyway, you'll never know
The many ways, I've tried

And till they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long, long time ago, ohh

Don't leave me standing here
Don't leave me waiting here, no, no, no
Please, don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.....EMAIL ME DAMNIT. *

P.S. I tried calling today via the advice of a friends and they did not pick up ....BASTARDS!!

*do note that the capitalized letters are not actually part of the song "Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles...I added these lyrics myself, ....I sure you are all shocked to know that I too write song lyrics.

The long and winding road.

I have always heard that there comes a time in every one's life that when faced with a seemingly impossible obstacle, sometimes no matter what you do or how hard you try defeat is ultimately inevitable. I have always maintained that people who hold to this outlook are just not trying hard enough or don't want to overcome zed obstacle.

oh how naive ......

I have met my Waterloo, and this Waterloo is named "Vetrate Artistiche Toscane".

As many of you know, I have wanted to go to Italy for a long long long long time. Through this company I felt i had found the perfect opportunity to not only continue pursuing my favorite medium but in an visually inspiring location. I applied was accepted and the dream became a reality.....or so i thought.

In the last year I have sent over 50 emails....and have only received 4 in return.

I don't know anymore about this program than i did when i applied.

in short....this is not good.

I am supposed to leave in less than 2 months.

I do not have itinerary for my class.
I do not have a confirmation of my booking.
I do not have a receipt.

I have sent a deposit.
I have applied for an apartment.
I have taken out a loan.
I have made a budget....

not good.

I have decided that given the facts I now face a difficult decision. Should I go to Italy?

Lets face it people, I am taking a risk here. Now granted I am famous for taking risks and coming out on top...not always in the way i prefer but generally things all fall together....

this is not one of those cases.

So the question I now ask my dear devoted readers.....what are your opinions. Should I cut my losses and throw in the proverbial towel? I have never failed at anything I have gone after before and I have tenaciously pursued this particular life quest. But at this point I have come to the end of my patience with this company. I can't make them respond to me.

I have set a deadline of 10 days. I will not send another email requesting information that THEY should have already given me. The ball is now in their court. (sickening sports metaphors...oh yeah i went there).

If they do not contact me, I will remove myself from the program.....as hard as that is, I think given the amount of money this is going to cost me, i cannot afford to base my future on whim....

any comments? Ideas? because for the first time ever I am coming up empty....