Transferring (after withdrawing) seeking wisdom!

<p>I figure this board gets more traffic, so the potential for help/advice is higher.
I was originally enrolled as an undergrad in a top50 university, but due to issues transitioning, burgeoning financial and domestic problems at home and young naivete, my GPA tanked and I subsequently lost my full ride. I spent more time helping out at home in NY than I did at college (in MA). My family could not afford to shovel out the 50k a year, so I withdrew; Since then I have not returned home, I've been living in the city where my University is, working retail and paying rent. I withdrew in May 2010 and it is now almost May 2011. Safe to say I've never felt so miserable in my life.
I'm completely lost. I'm sick of working retail, and I'm sick of being out of school. I was top 10 in HS, 1950 SAT, Intel STS applicant, tons of awards for Physics projects-- what options do I have? My GPA from college tanked so hard that I'm too ashamed to even post it :'(
I'm hopeful that I would be able to return home to NY and get stellar grades at a cc/state school and then transfer to a respectable private school. Is it likely that with hefty recommendations and amazing essay, that CUNY Hunter/Baruch are possible candidates?
Also: I was a Japanese lit & lang. major, so if anyone has any recommended schools that offer japanese/east asian, it would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>Also: The university was a damn big one, so I felt pretty disconnected from everything (including academics). Is it possible that with stellar HS stats it may be possible to transfer into a decent, small, private university? Quite a few of my professors are willing to fight for me over this, so I'm sure I'd have some amazing recommendations and an explanation of where my grades went. I just want a chance to make things right... sort of feels like I through away a good chunk of the rest of my life. Thanks again for any help! </p>

<p>/runs and hides</p>

<p>I have no wisdom, I am sure others here do though. But you do have my sympathy. Hang in there.</p>