Still trying to figure out Afghanistan; crazy busy with schools, fellowship applications, job applications, family stuff, money troubles, and life in general.

So instead, here is another photo of the desert.

It's an appropriate metaphor for my life right now, anyway.

I'm feeling much better now. Things are finally starting to come together, and I'm moving forward on planning my trip to Afghanistan. I might be getting some money back from the university from a screw-up regarding one of my classes last summer, which obviously is something I am in desperate need of. Another scholarship to provide funding for travel has come up, so obviously I'm going to apply. The only problem with that is that I'm pretty sure one of my friends/classmates is also applying and she stands a much better chance of getting it.

But we'll see.

Right now I'm just happy to be back on track!

Update:

So, the professor who also happens to be my committee chair hates me, I'm on academic probation due to the two Incompletes currently on my record, I have an insanely high credit card bill with the penalty APR kicking my monthly bills into the supremely-unaffordable range, things are not looking good for my trip to Afghanistan this summer, I've got my parents on my case about the expensive MacBook Pro they just bought me without realizing just how expensive it was EVEN THOUGH I KEPT TELLING THEM HOW EXPENSIVE IT WAS, Persian class has gotten ridiculously hard and my friend who tutored me last term is gone, and to sum up:

my life sucks.

Desert Beauty

Christmas is not complete without a baby cousin to play with

I am now the proud new owner of a MacBook Pro, which I am over the moon about. I've been in desperate need of a new computer for the past year now, and my parents finally decided to take pity on me and buy it for me, since there is absolutely no way I could ever afford it on my own.

As a result, I'm just now getting my photos from Christmas loaded, and couldn't resist sharing a few of my favorite shots of my 1-year-old cousin Severin, just because he's so absolutely adorable.

My adorable baby Georgie being adorable.

All Souls Procession

This is an entry I meant to post weeks ago, but as usual per grad school I got a bit busy and never got around to it.

Here are some of my favorite/best photos from the All Souls Procession last month. As you can see, people's costumes can get rather crazy and creative.

Enjoy!

All Souls Finale

Here are some of my photos (mostly the few that came out) from the grand finale of the 22nd All Souls Procession last weekend.

There was a lot of fire involved, which only increased the awesome factor.

I've also included a few videos I made of the performances.