Ok...so it's been a while since I've written. Quite a bit has happened in the meantime. Most recently, I spent last week in Dakar, Senegal as part of a class. I don't have time to write much about it now, but wanted to post a couple pictures. Enjoy!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

...and it is SNOWING LIKE CRAZY here in Michigan! Ok...so 'snowing like crazy' might be relative to my Northwest upbringing, but we've had pretty steady snow showers over the past few days, and the 7 day high is supposed to be 31 (but the low is only 8...so not too bad!) Now if only I had reliable heat in my apartment... The thermostat for the house is in the apartment across from mine, whose inhabitant is never home. It seems that she takes energy conservation very seriously. (you know things are bad when the cat opts to sleep under the comforter, not on top of it!)
Anyway, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving (despite missing my family quite a bit!). One of my friends/Ed's housemate invited us to her family's Thanksgiving dinner, complete with tons of family members (3 generations!), dogs/puppy/cat, and high quality entertainment (i.e. Turkey skit and dancing). So fun! To top the evening off, I got to talk to a number of people in my family, as my folks passed the phone around the table. It made being away a little easier, but it made me miss everyone that much more.
Speaking of home and missing everyone, I won't have to for too much longer! That's right! I fly home on the 16th (Pinta in tow) and would love to see anyone who is in town.

Surfacing

After a month and a half, I can finally take a deep breath. Maybe two! It feels great. I love being busy, but not out-of-control busy. Today is going to revolve around feeling the rain turn to snow, curling up in front of my fireplace with a good (non-class related book), and some reflection. ~sigh!~ :-)

Anyway, I'll leave you to enjoy this picture of Halloween's Team Zissou! (trying to look serious for the picture...with varying degrees of success!)

Daisy May

Update: "Heartsong" is also a good starter song

Moving to Ann Arbor has exposed me to a whole new array of incredible musicians. One of the more outstanding local artists is Daisy May...talk about a voice! "Radio", "Waiting," and "Monday Morning" are good songs to begin with.
In other news, things are still pretty dang busy. I'm afraid I shot myself in the foot this week. Usually I do the majority of my regression problem sets after work on Friday afternoons. This week I decided to work 8:00-5:00...which means I have to do this problem set tonight. I know, I know...I could've done it ahead of time, except I haven't had a chance to slow down this week! even I got up at 4:00 this morning to finish two essays. Must organize an agenda for a meeting tomorrow, too...and fill out another application.

Mmmm...I think I'll definitely be sleeping in this weekend! :-)

It's about time!

Finally... Today I feel a sense of national pride that has been absent from my life for a very long time. I look forward to being able to travel outside of the United States and not have people ask 'what's wrong with your country?', and "how can you guys keep making the same mistake?' Perhaps some positive stereotypes will emerge from this?! It would be about time!

I'm loving this semester, but it's certainly a bit crazy! Today is the first time the group of us putting together this year's International Economic Development Program (going to Senegal in February) gets to meet the class we'll be working/traveling with. So exciting! So much work, but hopefully quite worth it. :-)

In other news...one more day!!!!!!!!!!! Let's hope for a decisive victory and some class, both on the part of the victor and the defeated. There has been too much slander going on lately.

"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." ~Will Durant

Few things are more humbling than midterms week. Although, I must admit, it is strangely nice to have a distraction from the election campaigning. A superior break, however, would be a bike ride or a walk outside of the city. Last year's autumn was pretty disappointing...it was hyped by everyone I met, just to culminate in a rain storm that made for a soggy, dreary season. This year, however, is certainly living up to expectations! I had to stop and admire the Oak trees on my way home from the gym last weekend...I can't say I'd seen anything quite like them. Wonder how much of the brilliant colors come from the Oak being and Oak, and how much come from the Oak being in Michigan...