susan, u r right. one must learn life's lessons their own way. i would not have listened to a single one of my words then. i was a pretty wild child. i have many stories to tell because of it. however, i learned many lessons too. big ones.

maybe part of me is hoping she won't make some of the same mistakes i did. i made some good ones. that said, i turned out pretty well anyhow.

shelly, you just seem like a nice girl. follow your dream if it makes you happy, but don't go in with blinders on. protect yourself and have a back up plan back home. save a little extra $$ and put it aside. keep your ties with mom & dad. good luck.