Happy new year and all that jazz.

It's 2009. What the heck? That means that I turn 25 on my next birthday. Not quite sure when that happened.

But isn't it good that I can say that I love what I'm doing with my life? I'm genuinely proud of myself, every day, for the path I've chosen. I know that in a few years I'll be able to say that, thanks to me, someone suffered a little less from their illness. Even if I change only one person's life, make it a little easier, I'll be happy. I just started my fourth semester of my MPH program, and the classes and professors just keep getting better. They inspire me. They assure me that I will be able to save the world. As of right now, according to my plan, it looks like I'll be graduating in Jan 2011. I like having a plan, working towards a goal keeps me sane. So that's what we'll say for now. No promise that I'll keep up the 8 credits a semester, though.

If I play my cards right, my travels of the next year and half will look like this:
July 2009: France for my sister's wedding
Sept 2009: Rwanda for implementation of a cardiology program
Jan 2010: Dominican Republic for a medical relief trip
Summer-Fall 2010: South Africa for a 6-month internship at an HIV research unit

Not bad for a girl who's never been anywhere outside of France, England and the US...I'll keep you posted on what pans out. Fingers crossed.

Other exciting thing to look forward to: 2 (3?) of my best friends from NC moving to Boston this Summer!

But, following many people's advice, I'm learning to be happy in the moment. Enough relying on future plans to make me happy. I have so many things right now that will do the trick.

Marc and I moved in together last July, and we're really liking living together. We have a super cute apartment in the South End, and we're working on making it even cuter. And it's coming along quite nicely. For example, a couple weeks ago, we added a gorgeous oriental-style rug to the living room; the best part was that I found it on the sidewalk, so it was free. It's nice having this place together, because we get to see each other more, have dinner together every night; and there's always someone to greet you with a smile and hug when you get home.

I started singing in the choir at Trinity Church last fall. This choir has quite a reputation in Boston. They audition, practice a LOT, and expect near-perfection. It's been a lot of fun, I had missed singing. It's a lot of work, and a little tiring sometimes, but generally worth it.

My parents finally got a computer with a WebCam, so I get to video chat with my family on a regular basis. It's so much fun! We tend to goof around a lot on it.

Oh, and I got a raise today! $1080 more a year! haha, excellent.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to do. And maybe some work. It is 3:30pm on a work day, after all.

Snuggles.