Homework and Hurricanes

Not that I'm complaining, I realize that hurricanes can be quite serious and all, but Earl was a disappointment. We never lost power, we hardly saw rain, and the whole next day (with classes cancelled) was all blue and sunny skies. The storm wouldn't even have been bad enough to make the direct TV satelite signal break up at home. In case there is another one, know that I live in a large cement building 20 mins away by car from the shore. I'm about as safe as I can be on this island. The worst part about Earl is that he did damage to the island that we were going to visit over our long weekend (Culebra--look it up it is supposedly one of Travel Channel's top 10 beaches in the world).

School is going well so far. It is intense, but thanks to all of Dr. May's warnings, I was prepared for that. I still think it is kind of weird not having to go to work on a daily basis. I think that contributes to my feeling that this whole experience is more like going to camp than going to grad school.

Brett is about to start middle school. I've been pretty good about not being too homesick, but I really wish I could be there for his first day of school. I can't believe how fast he has grown up. When I'm done with this whole experience, he is going to be driving. I'm not going to be ready for that. The good news is that Dad bought him a cell phone, and even though I think he is too young, I love that he texts me almost everyday. I'm not sure if it is because he misses me, or whether he just likes using his new phone, but I'll take it either way.

My hermit crab is still alive and well. Cathleen found him a bigger shell and we put it in his container. I thought it might take him weeks to upgrade, but he made the big move within a couple of hours. I'll have to take a new picture. His claw is also growing and for some reason has turned bright blue. We named him Corona, because he made the trip home with us in a Corona bottle.

Elizabeth sent me a care package that came yesterday. I was so excited!!! I love surprises and I knew that Elizabeth would send me random things that are very Elizabeth and would make me smile. It took a long time for it to actually arrive, but I ate the cookies in the box anyway...and they were still good! I have the flip flops that were in the box on right now.

Off to class!