I’ve heard before that people who express gratitude often tend to be happier than people who don’t. There’s a YouTube video about it, so it must be true. Finishing up my time at LWR certainly gives me an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. So, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who made this summer possible.   First, to everyone at the Institute of Leadership and Service, thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity to serve as a CAPS Fellow this summer. A few special shout outs to Deb Garbukas for her help and patience in planning my travel arrangements; Ali Devries for her reassurance and also her careful and wonderful housing selection; and Elizabeth Lynn for her encouragement. Thank you to all of you. Without your encouragement, patience, and careful planning I would have spent my summer on Netflix, so needless to say I deeply appreciate […]

I’ve been in Baltimore for nearly four weeks now and I will admit that the dreamlike state I’ve been drifting about in has started to vanish. Public transportation is not as exciting as it once was—especially considering the heatwave. Though I will admit there is still something magical about the way the Charm City Circulator (the free bus I ride to and from work every day) can accommodate a crush of people that nearly defy the laws of physics. I should also admit that living in the city isn’t all charm either. The view is great, but the noise is nonstop. And all the surrounding grocery stores criminally overcharge for cereal. And chocolate chips, surprisingly. But I’m not complaining. I’m just acknowledging that my dreamlike state is vanishing into reality. Suddenly, I feel like I’m settling in. I sleep just fine at night in spite of the car alarms and […]