Life: Happy, Busy, Cold

I’m back from Hawaii, (pictures to come soon), slightly tanned, well rested, more motivated, and all around happy (of course, I haven’t checked my credit card bill yet…). Two things, actually people, made my trip extremely enjoyable: my roommate, Dr. Balbinder Singh Bhogal, and the young Turkish woman I met on the plane to San Francisco, Filiz Kunuroglu. I have mentioned that I wanted to bring some of the ‘sunshine’ of Hawaii back to Montana with me, and in keeping in touch with these two wonderful people, I think I can do just that.

Transitioning back into Montana-life was not difficult. Right off the plane, almost, I was back at my job, then to the gym, then to cleaning/organizing things at home. Work is keeping me very busy, which I like. And in four days I’ll start a new semester of classes, which is very exciting. I have a feeling that the next few months will fly right by.

I’m also freezing my butt off. Typical for Montana in January. And I’m glad for the cold. It reminds me of my childhood, playing in the snow with boundless energy, warming up with mom’s soup or hot cocoa. If I do go to Hawaii for my Ph.D. I know I’ll miss the winters, not to mention the overwhelmingly beautiful falls and the re-awakening of the earth here each April and May.

Cut down a pine tree in Hawaii and you’ll find no rings, the wood has no grain when cut, there are no seasons.