Have you ever had that feeling where you start to read a book, and just a few pages in, you can tell "This is going to be my favorite book - the best book I've ever read."?  I'm having it right now, and it is awesome.

"If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams." - Yann Martel

The fact that the main character is a religion and zoology double major made me feel like we have a lot in common:

"But I don't insist.  I don't mean to defend zoos.  Close them all down if you want (and let us hope that what wildlife remains can survive in what is left of the natural world).  I know zoos are no longer in people's good graces.  Religion faces the same problem.  Certain illusions about freedom plague them both." - "Pi Patel"

Life of Pi.  Read it. 

"To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."

Uh, hi, everyone... *sheepish grin*

So, I'm really good at this whole updating thing.  Wheeeee!  Here's a very brief summary of the past month:  finished my ISP, wrote it, borrowed money to pay hotel bill, went back to Ft. Dauphin, presented it, went up north to Diego and the Nosys (otherwise known as the paradise vacation), saw dolphins, sea turtles, coral reefs, and half the team get taken out by dysentery (and a bad reaction to mangos), back to Tana, rounded up tourist crap, repaid Chloe, got tourist crap on plane after much fighting with Air Mad staff, met Parents in Paris with other homeless students along for the ride. 

The past six days:  Ran around Paris with Joe and Jenny, they left and Alanna arrived, ran around with Alanna, making unseemly comments about most of the rest of the world and eating crepes, Alanna leaves and Carolyn and Ellen arrive, enjoy Christmas cheer brought by sister and help her hobble about the city (yet another long story), Carolyn and Ellen leave for Amsterdam, DiDi buys a few good books and spends the last two hours reading everyone's blogs.

Tah dah!

I noticed everyone was leaving "I'm home and not dead" messages, so I thought I might do the same.  The time difference is still making it impossible to chat with people, really, but I'll be home by new year's and back at school with the rest of 'em (and with a car, might i add.  *mischievious chuckle*).  Back into the grind and compulsive use of free online services.  So I'll be available.  The super, 24 hour, multi-media american standard of accessible, I suppose, but I think I may tire of that quickly. Anyway, here now.  Halfway between away and home, and not terribly much closer to school, though I feel like I am.  Still missing everyone, excited to see you, and hoping you have a wonderful break.

love, didi

ATTENTION WORLD: 

I got AIM to work.  I know none of you are starving for interactions but please, take pity and make a date with me to be up at odd hours... please?

Now available: DiDi - the ocean version

Extra Crispy!  Now with more salt!  Heavily fortified with vitamin D!  Red color added.

I believe I am genetically inclined to be in Oregon.

DiDi: *reapplies sunscreen to burn while on boat*

Norbert: "Its good to be black like us here"

perceptive, boss.

anyway, it was a great week for sightings, and the crossbow was a success!  "harpooned" both adult whales we sighted... it was rockin'.  Don't want to spoil all the surprises, though, so only Sarah will hear the full story and see pictures today.  The rest of you shall have to wait.

sending love as always - DiDi

Wanna know what I'm doing?  looky what I found:

http://research.amnh.org/biodiversity/center/programs/cetacean.html