So my cousin now lives with me.......

It has been almost a month and a half since my cousin from Cuba has moved in with me. It has certainly has proved a challenge to live with the "ethnic" part of my family......... My cousin decided to move to Ecuador in order to obtain personal freedom and a better job in Ecuador.... Ecuador is a fairly easy country to immigrate to. Thus far, she has proven to be a very big eater- we have never bought as much food as we have this month and a half. For example, this morning at breakfast- my cousin ordered a mocha, fruit juice, and a cappucino this morning!!!!! How can one possibly eat this much sugar? All in all it has certainly been interesting. Hopefully, she finds a job and an apartment soon! Hay que pena!

Aside from that, I just spent the last week in the sun and heat on the coast for a Habitat for Humanity trip. I had a really great time and I loved the community that I was working in. The people were friendly and very generous. We had tasty empanadas for afternoon snacks and freshly oven baked corn- dogs. The children in the community were especially vibrant and friendly......  The trip was tiring because we worked in the relentless heat for around 8 hours a day- with no powertools. I have a newfound respect for the people who live and work in impoverished communities in Ecuador. It is a tough life to be poor here. It is a tough life everywhere to be poor- but wow!

I also have decided to attend the University of Pittsburgh...... in the Fall of 2009 for Public health. I am really interested in the Global Health Certificate and I am really excited about it. Right now- I am looking for grants and funding to finance my studies because I really don't have a lot of money. Hopefully, I can find a job when I get there---- and a cute studio apartment. I have also been checking out urban gardens to volunteer in and yoga teacher training programs. I probably won't have time for any of this with my busy graduate school/ work schedule, but at least I can try......... I am anticipating coming back the US and seeing people that I have not seen in almost 2 years.  It is hard to believe that it has been that long! I cannot wait to get back.