Semester 3, Week 11--Thanksgiving in Our Sights!

I find it very hard to believe that it has been about a month since I last updated this thing, but I guess it makes sense with how busy this semester has kept me.

Where to start catching up on updates?  Halloween?  I guess that's as good a start as any.  As usual, Halloween isn't a very big to-do on this rock... but we students make it as "normal" as we can.  The Geeks Anonymous group had a Halloween-themed gaming night, complete with us all wearing costumes and bringing decorations and snacks and listening to "Halloween-ey" music and videos in the background.  VIDA (a group that does free spay/neuter clinics and provides veterinary care to those unable to afford it) hosted a haunted house, which was more funny than scary for me, but it definitely helped to keep the feel of the season.  Even the prep school kids come through the classrooms for trick-or-treating (which drove me out the opposite door to go get coffee and enjoy at 10-15 minute break of my own).

The last P.A.W.S. adoption day was last weekend... and it was my last one as an officer as well.  In a sense, it was kind of sad, but such a relief at the same time.  I have time to do other things rather than having 10 emails a week to sort through and do updates to the website.  Kristi's fiance took over, so I have the utmost confidence that he'll do a good job with it.  I still plan on volunteering, but at least I don't have to devote 3+ hours a week to keep up with the changes.  Unfortunately, it wasn't a very good semester for us--only 19 adoptions in total (compared to the 35ish we saw last term).  The group's made some decent progress since I first started working with them, and I know they'll continue to do more and more for the community as time goes on.

Last week, we had Fabien Cousteau come down to lecture about ocean conservation.  It's been a wonderful semester for me with the guest lecturers--Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald at first and then Fabien.  Listening to his lectures almost made me miss being in marine biology!  I was so jealous of the research projects he's participated in... but then I remembered why I'm here in the first place.  ;)  He's a wonderful speaker, so if you ever get a chance to listen to him, I highly recommend you do.  He also does a lot of work with schools and is trying to promote his conservation group:  PlantAFish.org.  Check it out--it's a great idea.

Other than that, there really isn't much to tell--I go to school, go home, let the dog out, shower, and then go back to school (sometimes) to study with Jen and Jobeth.  It's an uneventful life!  At least I'm passing all my classes still, too.  :)

So, I guess I leave you with my thoughts as to what I'm thankful for this season.  I'm glad to still be allowed to continue in the program down here despite all the setbacks in the last year and a half.  I'm thankful for the support of all my friends and family, both island and back on the mainland.  Without you guys always being there for me, I couldn't have done this.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!