Wow a lot has happened in the past month and a half. Let me try to get you all up to speed.
I'll start with my Alternate Spring Break trip to the Florida Everglades, where I joined 13 fantastic Penn peers in environmental restoration service. Working in state parks and an animal reserve, I learned a great deal about the differences between theory and practice in conservation efforts. For a plethora of reasons outside of the service, this trip was glorious. Building friendships with freshmen and seniors alike, snorkeling off Key Largo reefs with sharks, tasting countless flavors of fruity milkshakes, and sharing a hippie hostel with more that 60 other fascinating residents...simply unforgettable. There are too many photos to pick one to share, so check out my Facebook page to see more: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=616341&v=photos&so=45.
The next Friday I journeyed to NYC with my sister Loren to look at NYU. Her photography is breathtaking, and with NYU's renown Tish program, she convinced me it was a must visit. After our tour, we perused some silly stores and sashayed around Central Park. The next morning, we hopped a plane to Mesa, AZ to meet the rest of the family. For the remainder of the weekend, we indulged in spring training baseball, art fairs, and high caliber gelato.
Returning to Philadelphia, I have been savoring the final months of my Penn career. Highlights include plays like Scorched and At Home at the Zoo, initiating new members to our senior society Friars, and finding more time just for friends.
A weekend later, I was back off to NYC, this time for some school perusing of my own. I went to Cornell Medical School's admit weekend, leaving confident that it was the place for me. Smart and friendly peers, unmatched facilities, international and community engagement opportunities abound...much to love. After a summer devoted to finding homes for others, I now know where my new home will be.
As for this past weekend, my dear high school friends (CJ, Ryan, and Myke) visited Penn. Perusing the city, we reminisced about old memories and made new ones. And in this time of treasuring old friends, I found myself making exciting new friendships as well. Another excellent weekend in West Philadelphia.
Oh and about that bike trip? I am feeling in great shape, combining running training for the Broad St Run (10 miles) with a biking regimen. As my friend a current Marine said to me as we were running, "I hope I am not slowing you down too much." I still have some more gear to grab and many more road miles to log, but I am confident I will be ready and rarin at the end of May.
Well that's what's happening now, with my final Spring Fling just around the corner. And my final class at Penn is this month! I must reiterate a sentiment a friend recently shared with me: "sometimes I feel like the luckiest person on the planet."
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