Merry Christmas/Happy New Year 2008!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!
As always, I would love to hear from you how your past year went and where you are these days….


Last year I ended the Christmas letter with a note on my anticipated Antarctica adventure, so I’ll begin there. The trip, lasting 3 weeks over last Christmas break, went extremely well with “good” weather and fortunate sightings. I went with MSU students on a study abroad program and we saw multiple species of birds (including 4 kinds of penguins), seals, and 2 types of whales. Icebergs in Antarctica, glaciers in Argentina, and all kinds of ice viewed from atop our Russian ship were all highlights as well.

This picture
helped
me win the
MSU Spartans
Abroad
Photography
Grand Prize.

I initially had been worried that I would feel too old with undergraduates, but Jessie and I became fast friends after meeting in the airport in Miami. On an 8 mile glacier hike over uneven, steep, icy terrain, she even gave me periods of rest by carrying me piggyback.





I finished teaching in the spring without knowing whether I would be accepted into medical school, but didn’t have much time to think as my family and I went to Europe in early May to celebrate my parent’s 30th anniversary. Mom and Dad had met at L’Brie in Villars, Switzerland and we had always wanted to go back as a family.


First we spent a week in Scotland visiting: St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and various parts of the country by staying in bed and breakfasts along our route. Even though our rental car was very, VERY small for a family of 5, we managed to fit all of our luggage, food items, and gift items in it without losing anything on the multiple roundabouts driving the ‘wrong’ way.

We then spent a week in Switzerland visiting Vilars, Gruyere, Geneva, and other places. All of us were unanimous in picking the highlight of the trip as eating fondue at this restaurant up in the Alps.

While on the trip, I got an email saying I had been accepted to Michigan State’s College of Human Medicine (M.D) in a five year program. I immediately accepted, feeling confirmed in my passion and enjoyment for science and learning. It changed my entire summer though, because the program began June 1st only a week and a half after I returned to the US.

When I had interviewed in March, a family from my church had mentioned the possibility of housing. So fast-forward to today. I live with the Olsons. I am back at URC for church and it’s exciting to get to see old friends there and around East Lansing, Michigan or even Chicago, IL.



This is a shot under the
Bean in Chicago with
Katie Loveland and
Keerthy Kishore (two dear
friends from undergrad.)


















Many friends from college are getting married or having children, and it’s nice to close enough to be a part of such big life changes. Also, it’s nice to be closer to the Urish clan in Illinois, where my parents, brother, and sister and I spent Thanksgiving. This photo was taken by Amanda Urish.

There’s a little update on me. Maybe I’ll see some of you in Colorado over Christmas break, if not… emails and phone calls will have to do.

May God’s blessings be on your families and lives in the coming year…

Much love!