Weeks become months

I've been pretty busy. I've started working in the lab. Its been good. It has started cutting down on my sleep, but that will be ok. I get to do fun things like checking O2 stats, collecting spit to test cortisol levels (stress hormone), and general interaction.

Things have also been getting busy at work. We're planning for Family Volunteer Day. I'm working on getting more faith groups involved and encouraging people in faith groups to volunteer. I think I'm also closing in on being finished with my Faith Based Volunteer Kit, or at least the rough draft. Sadly I haven't been able to be as in contact with the local groups as I'd like. I have begun contact with the Baha'i community here. Its pretty small. I was really surprised that no one I work with had heard of Baha'i, so I'm spreading info about them. I was also just asked to be the secretary of the new steering committee of the InterFaith Coalition of Rhode Island. I'm really excited and kind of honored. I'm still a new and relatively young member of this community.

I have started submitting my applications for graduate school. I've finished my application for Catholic University of America, and am over half way through my UGA application. Its been kind of stressful but I feel like I'm getting close to being finished. I think I've finished my personal statement and just have to add the finishing touches for each school. I'm also going to be applying for this program called Faith Acts Fellows. It would be with the Interfaith Youth Core and the Tony Blaire Foundation. I would study in London and Africa for 2 months to learn about malaria. Then for 8 months I would return to the US and work toward eradicating malaria with in the faith communities. I think this would be a fantastic experience!

Last weekend Josh and I went to visit my Aunt Diana over in CT. It was very fun and relaxing. We went to a local cider mill and tasted different hard ciders and apple wines. We were also able to see a cider pressing. Supposedly my Great Uncle Bob's Cider press is 2 years older than the one we saw which was from 1870. Didi and Kim drove us around we saw some of the changing leaves and the beautiful countryside. Other than that we mostly spent time relaxing, doing laundry, and eating way too much of Didi's wonderful food. Sadly Josh and I haven't done too much exploring. I don't usually get home until 8 or so at night then go to sleep around 10 or 10:30. A couple weeks ago I was able to go raspberry picking with my friend Lindsay, over Columbus Day Weekend. It was beautiful! Warm, sunny, lots of little families pumpkin picking, and the ultimate decision that you can't pick berries without eating some.

Josh's birthday is coming up in just over a week, election day, but we won't celebrate until the next weekend. I'm already getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For my NC friends, I will be in NC from December 21st through the 29th. Most of the time I'll be spending with my and Josh's families, but its still very important for me to see many of you! Know that I want to see all of you, but man I may not have enough time. Hopefully I'll be using most of my vacation time for grad school interviews.

Much love to all!

Ellie