Welcome, Toma!

Friends, please welcome another member of our cyberfamily, Inside These Borders by Toma. Toma, like others here, is in a binational relationship and has been going through the nightmare of the discriminatory US immigration system. Welcome, Toma!

In other news, I have given away more stuff via The Free Market. I just love that site! And, some of the students were collecting things for those who were hit by the floods in Southeast Minnesota so we gave away our wheelbarrow and Shop-Vac. Woo-hoo. Each thing that goes makes me feel one step closer to "real" packing. Although I don't have a formula, I'm using an off the top of my head "calculation" of "weight + mass + replacement cost" to determine if something is worth hauling to the Maritimes.

I'll soon be proposing a study abroad course for May 2010, "Sustainability and Social Justice: Maritime Canada." If all goes well, 10 students will spend three weeks with me, and a staff member, in Nova Scotia, PEI, and New Brunswick. We'll visit sites like an organic farm, co-housing site, restorative justice organization, etc. I am going to have so much fun planning it!

I guess that's about it. I have to work on my proposal for my visiting professorship, grade papers, etc. But, the fall is pretty much my favorite time of year. We also get to go to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch, see the fall raptor release, and, this year, attend the commitment ceremony of two of our very best friends. Today we met them for breakfast at Maria's Cafe and then we went for a short hike to a place called the "Quaking Bog." 6YO had hoped to see more bugs, but I think had fun anyway.

Hope this finds you well! And, again, welcome Toma!