Usage of Moolah from Fundraising Recital

     Well, a more imminent usage of donations from my community, rather than grad school, has come up--I was offered a $600 Career Development Grant from Peabody.  I proposed an idea of participating in 2 different singing competitions, both overseas, to develop my skills as a performer and singer, as well as for auditioning.  One of which in Marseilles, France.  This is the one that I can still apply for/go to.  Yadda yadda yadda... I asked for $3000, which would cover airfare, hotel for every night, food, etc... and they gave me $600.  WAH WAAAAAAH.  If I refuse this amount, because I am unable to come up with the rest for the trip, I cannot be awarded it again.  So, I pretty much have to use it.
     I decided, as well as part of my cycling trip, to couch surf--this way it's FREE.  :)  That saves me $1500+.  Not to mention, I'm sure I will meet some amazing people while I'm there.  Now, I just have to raise $1100.  I figure:

Bolt Bus & Amtrak to EWR airport-$42
Flight-$1064 [(per Expedia) it's $400 cheaper to fly out of EWR, NJ than BWI, MD airport]
Food-≈$30 (€20) per day x 12 days = $360 (€240)
Misc.-$250
--------------------------
     about      $1700
     (grant)      - 600
 -------------------------
                    $1100 (that I have to raise)

Hopefully my hometown sees this as a great opportunity to help me.  If I even make a few hundred dollars, I'll be happy.  I can attempt to make $1000 in July alone [(which is quite possible if I work my tookus off) 40 hrs/wk, every week will get me there], but then I still have to pay rent for August, which subtracts a decent portion of that, so I'm left with what I make in August (another $1000).  Then, rent will (hopefully) be paid primarily via a student loan, so I can finally start saving/paying on the interest that's accruing on my loans.
  
     If I think about this, it's a win-win for me.  If I get passed the first round, or even venture to say place in the finals or WIN the competition, I'll make some money.  If not, I've got almost 2 weeks to venture around Europe.

Oh sweet nectar.