England and Italy: Up in the Air

So...I thought I was going to get research funding through this program I am in (for the first part of the summer, before I leave for Germany). I was going to use some of that money to pay for a side-trip to England to visit colleges (for Graduate school). Well now it looks like I probably won't be able to go to England or Italy, which is kind of a drag. My mom is really sad about it because she really, really, really wants me to go to school in the U.K. because she feels like it would be the best place for me to go for my research interests. I have to agree with her, but I just don't know where the money will come from. I am going to work my butt off during July and hope that it is enough--we'll have to see :/
Italy looks even bleaker at this point, which is REALLY SAD! I don't know when I am going to go to Italy...I planned on going back to Tokyo next summer, but maybe I should put Italy down as a second choice...we'll see.
Anyway, hearing about not getting funding (oh, and did I mention I might be dropped from this pre-graduate program because I won't be here this summer? Even though I told them I couldn't be here over the summer BEFORE I was accepted?) was not the best start to this three-day weekend. George and I are going to the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee (if I can ever get out of bed!)...and I will bring my camera along to take some video. Ciao!