Wow its September!

I've been very busy! I've started working at the Sleep for Science Psychology lab at Butler Hospital through Brown University. I've just started my training at the lab. Its very different than the Peer Relations Lab with Mitch, but I like it. Everyone who works there is very nice and seems to be passionate about academia, which is important to me.

I am also working on my graduate school applications. I am applying to:

1. University of Vermont
2. Catholic University of America
3. University of Georgia
4. University of Nebraska at Lincoln
5. UNC Greensboro
6. Southern Illinois University
7. St Louis University
8. Suffolk University
9. University of Toledo

Its time consuming, but its definitely as stretch.

Workwise, I've been busy. I had a wonderful experience meeting with most of the major religious leaders at a poverty reduction conference. It was fantastic! I met both one of the past as well as the present Presidents of the Board of Rabbis of RI. I met a couple UU ministers, a woman who is connected to the whole social service arena of RI, more important jewish people than I can count, multiple Episcopal ministers, and people representing the United Church of Christ (UCC). This faith based reduction of poverty group's goal is to reduce poverty by 50% in 10 years, and I'm going to help! This is a nationwide effort! During the past week they have been sending letters to politicians requesting that they devote the first 100 days of their term to poverty reduction. Obviously few politicians will not sign this pledge, but they may not work towards this goal in the way that I and others would think is appropriate (e.g. trickle down economics). Although it wasn't in my program plan, at least officially, for me to work on interfaith collaboration, I am, and all of you know that I love it! When I found out about this meeting and following press conference, I was so excited especially when talking about it to my supervisor we got goose bumps!!!

I've also been to 2 college volunteer fairs, one at Brown and the other at Salve Regina in Newport, both with Lindsay. It was a blast. Brown reminded me of Carolina and how much I miss school and college life. Walking around made me feel rather old because I realized that freshmen look the same everywhere. Brown is very into volunteer; they actually began Campus Compact. Salve Regina was very different. My closest comparison was Duke or Wake Forest. Everything was very beautiful and quiet, not much of a campus life. Newport was wonderful, absolutely beautiful. I want to go back and visit again; hopefully to spend more time on the beach.

I'm starting to get close with this girl, Lindsay, who I work with. We hung out some yesterday and I think we will definitely continue to do so. She is from South Carolina and we just seem to mesh well on things, music, politics, religion, and just kind of hanging out! It makes me feel like Providence is home-ish. I don't know if I'll ever feel that Providence is home-home because I know I'll only be here for a year, but I am happy and comfortable. Life is good...

I'm excited about everything and have been very busy!

Much love to everyone!