Dear Readers,

Apologies for my sporadic blogging and extended absence as of late.  I set off for Senegal with a not so old (what is five in computer years?) but well used and potentially abused laptop.  Over the course of my stay, I ultimately removed all large files (music, power point presentations, some programs) in an attempt to make room for my pictures. More probably could have been done, but, to be honest, technology has never been a strong suit of yours truly.  In my final few weeks, my trusty laptop called it quits.  I was writing my final blog entries in tandem with a monstrous report, replete with pictures, on the work I had done in organic agriculture and a ten-page reflection paper.  As dwindling memory would not permit me to open more than two windows at a time, let alone save documents larger than three words, a flash drive was brought in to save the report and reflection paper and as for all other documents including blog entries and pictures….their fates would not be determined until I arrived back in the US.  Screwing up the courage to go to CompUSA was a bit difficult (I am currently suffering from a phobia of shopping malls and supermarkets….anything offering seemingly infinite choices).  However, I now got me some more memory and my very own flash drive (the poor sales rep spent a good five minutes naming devices in response to demand for a “key chain-like saving device”).  

So now, back in Cambridge, I’m back in blogging business.  At least for one last hurrah. I’ve sent Matt Ulmer, my Editor/Mindsay Alter ego, several documents to conclude my study abroad adventures.  The entries I had been working on prior to the laptop meltdown have been resuscitated and bolstered.  I’ve thrown in some bits from the villainous organic agriculture report and final reflection.  I have also included a few short essays/vignettes/what-have-yous that I have written since returning home; these digressions deal directly with the issues of transition and reverse culture shock—phenomena that should be taken into consideration by those considering studying abroad.

Enjoy.  

It’s been real.

Faithfully yours,

Emma