This is my desk. I love my desk. I love my office. It is my home away from home away from home.
I spend an inordinate amount of time sitting at my desk. Sometimes I stare out of my window, while other times I read and write papers about statistical methods or bureaucratic issues. I also highlight a lot of articles and books. That orange thing is my highlighter. The other orange thing is my coffee cup.
Coffee in Oregon is potent.
Classes are going well. I have 5 weeks until the end of the term, which stresses me out. There will be much more time spent at my desk, that's for sure... I'm thinking about buying a plant.
When I'm not sitting in class or at my desk, I'm normally spending time with other people in my program. I have grown quite fond of my cohort. We are a diverse bunch of kids hoping to impact the world. It's wonderful being around people with such high hopes for the future. Especially today, it's easy to get depressed.
I am currently working on developing my thesis topic: micro-loan financing in developing countries that are especially vulnerable to climate change (i.e. Bangladesh). I have a lot of research to do before I can pinpoint exactly where I'll focus, but through meetings with various faculty members on campus, I have made a lot of progress in a few short weeks.
I'm missing Ohio more than normal, lately. The smell of autumn and colder weather will always make me homesick. This is much different from my experience in China, however. I am not nearly as desperate for the days to pass by. I like it here. And I like my desk. A lot.
