Just a general update!

Hi All - this blog post is just a general life update. Guess I'm bored or procrastinating!

The wind is really in a frenzy outside the window and if it weren't so blasted cold outside I'd think a tornado was on the way.

I think it is just winter coming although I'm not sure which would be worse. Apparently we are already behind in our annual snowfall. I'm not complaining, although I can understand why others in the area might need or want the snow. I'm quite happy on November 6th without a single flake.

We have been attending the ND games (they have still only won ONE game out of 8) and keeping busy with new friends. This Friday we are hosting a "Chili and Beer" party that we hope will rival the ones that we always attended back in Boston. What better way to gird oneself for the bitter winter than eating a hot bowl of chili? We don't have many chairs for people to sit in, but fortunately our new friends J&A have floor cushions we can use.

The one thing the Chili and Beer party will not have (sadly) are the famous "Scotcharoos" that a former roommate used to make. We have been noticing that the reduction in daily walking is starting to take a toll on our waste lines. Yes, I do miss walking everywhere. I never thought I'd say that, but it was a really great form of exercise and always helped me participate in the seasons and explore the Cambridge neighborhoods.

The rattle in our car is getting more and more annoying so we'll have to take a look at the underbelly of our car pretty soon. The timing is pretty bad - hopefully we can do that before the first inch of snow hits. Then again, maybe we could just make a snow angel while we're under there.

I (Liz) had an interview at Notre Dame this week and am waiting for final word on whether or not I will progress to the next round. Never having owned a suit until this past spring, I had no idea how they could really constrain one's movement. I looked sharp though, so it was definitely worth it. I can't decide if I'm hoping for a second interview so that I can wear my other suit or because I would still be in the running for the job. If I am completely honest, think I may hold them in equal desire. I'm glad I don't have to wear a suit all the time, but it sure feels good to look like some sort of powerful NY executive every so often.

Both Ryan and I have started thinking about Jamaica again - and we are going to look at a date to return this spring. A lot has changed since our last trip in late March including the death of a very dear friend, the hurricane that touched down on the coast in late August, and the change in the ruling governmental party. Our next trip is likely to be more of a "fact finding" trip instead of an intensive week of service at the infirmary - but you never know what will happen so we're trying to be open to a variety of possibilities.

I'm getting to read a lot these days and have also been volunteering at a "Family Literacy" program that is part of the South Bend Housing Authority and the South Bend Schools. I'm working on creating a website for them which has been a big learning experience. I feel pretty inept - but at least I'm learning and trying something new. The program itself is pretty incredible - it is an opportunity for low-income women to get their GED and to learn more about early childhood development. The idea is that the women spend some time in the morning daycare with their child and then walk down the hall to their GED study class. After class they return to the daycare to spend more time with their child - they may do singing, drawing, reading, and a variety of other activities. It is pretty amazing to see the complex combination of services that this program provides. Now if I could just make a representative website for them I'd be pleased!

As for the reading - feel free to send any book recommendations my way. I'm limited to what I can find at the ND library and the St. Joseph county library. I knew I'd miss the Harvard Libraries when we left and I do miss them a great deal. Sigh.

Recent reads that I really enjoyed were:

The Brothers K by David James Duncan
Nickle and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich

I'm hoping to pick up a copy of these books from the libraries next:

The Secret History of the War on Cancer by Devra Davis
and
The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry by Kathleen Flinn

All in all, we are surviving and possibly starting to reach a stage of "thriving" here in Indiana. Notre Dame men's basketball has just started up so I am excited to watch a sport that I understand more than football.

Oh and how about those RED SOX??? You can take the girl outta Boston, but you can't take Boston outta the girl. (For that matter I still have a lot of California and Montana in me too!)

I'm off to make some tortillas for my lunch (Ryan has nearly perfected them!) so.....
Autumnal Greetings to all from Mishawaka!