Should I accept a gift of money from someone I barely know?

Asked by soundsfishy (50) November 10th, 2011 from iPhone

Hi! :) I recently became very good friends with someone online, and she and I are kind of ‘close’, even if we don’t know a lot specifically about each other, and we live in different countries. I do know for a fact that she isn’t an imposter or online predator or anything, so there’s no need to question that – but here’s the problem.
We first bonded over a cult TV show, and said show has annual conventions that are quite expensive, but you get to meet the stars etc and it sounds fun. Now, I don’t have a job so I can’t really afford to go – even though I really, really want to. And my friend wants me to go to, so we can meet up and enjoy it together; but out of the blue, of her own accord, she said she’ll pay for my ticket for me. Now, that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever offered, and I really, really want to take her up on it – but I know that would be kind of rude and really selfish of me to take her hard-earned money for something like this. I’m only young, and I don’t want to rush into this without properly thinking out how I would get there etc, but should I just accept it as a gift and go ahead? Thanks for any replies! :)