Wow, it's been a long time since I last blogged...but lots of exciting things have happened! Hm...let's see....so after I took my exam at Miri's...which, let's just say was wicked hard, and I didn't answer all of the questions (so we'll see)...I got a call from Cait. I came back to Hershey early and I drove us up to Boston (long drive...and Cait can't drive my car yet). We were there for 5 days, and it was such a nice visit. I got to see al of my Aunt's and Uncle's and my younger cousins, who are all a lot taller than when I left Boston in May! I also got to spend a day with my Nana, which was good for me. She is a Bingo champion! : ) I was driving non-stop, back and forth between Hershey and Manassas, Va for a few times to pick up or watch Toula. But in the midst of that, I visited Penn State for an informal interview of sorts.

It went really well!!! I met with a few professors from the Entomology department and they were very keen to have me apply and even said I'd be very likely to get a full fellowship!! (that means tuition, research costs, living stipend, full medical insurance, etc!). So I've changed my mind from applying to the Ecology intercollegiate program because of finances. I also found out that I can minor in Ecology as I do an Ento PhD, so I'm confident I'll go that route. I'm really excited. I'll hear definitely about it in January. Meanwhile, it's a job hunt here. I'm looking at possible jobs in Lexington, VA near Miri or else jobs still in Hershey. Things seemed to have settled down here in Cait's apartment...or atleast, things were taken care of while I was in and out during November. I'm not sure...but so far, her roomate's been nothing but super nice to me. Anyways, i'm not as naive as I used to be, so am not reading too much into it. ; )

So, when I was at PSU, I stayed with Liz, my brother's girlfriend. Which was really nice. I got to chat with her, and even brought pics of Jared when he was little, had huge blond curls...a few naked in the bath pics, haha...and we got along really well. She was so helpful too, in getting me where I needed to go. It's a big campus, and I wouldn't have done it without her. : )

So, now, I'm in Hershey, finishing up application stuff and being a sort of house keeper for the apartment. I'm looking forward to seeing Jared at Christmas, even tho it is just for the day. I'm also glad and excited for Cait, who's taking a trip at Christmas with her friend Michelle (from med school) and two of Michelle's friends, to Ireland over Christmas and then Paris for New Year's!!! I know she'll love it!

I thought I might get up to Boston again during the holidays, but the flights are almost all booked up. So, i'll probably stay at my parents'. Jared flies out to meet Liz in Florida for the holidays. Mom said she misses my cooking and wants me to try out some new cookie/cake/pudding/pie recipes : ) Yippee! You know me, I'm always game to try anything when it comes to food! ; )

I do miss my friends from Oxford though. I find them on my mind more than once a day. Sigh...well, when I get a job, or else start grad school and have some source of income, then I hope to meet up with them, whereever they might be. I miss the familiarity and openness I had, especially with the Abraham crowd. You guys put up with me, no questions asked...I felt the most like myself there. Anyways, I think because it's the holidays and family and friends are the most important things to me, I'm very nostalgic and lonely in a way these days.

I miss my other friends from college too, we're all so scattered now! Abbie, in Asia; Jasmine in Canada; Kim, now in VA, and Miri...well, Miri's still in Lexington ; ) and me...well, now, I don't know exactly where to say I am. : )

Well, here's a lovely Christmas carol, made famous in the movie, 'Meet Me in St. Louis,' sung by Judy Garland:

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on, our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.