Just an Update

Wednesday was the last day of my internship at the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii. Since September, I've been riding the bus into Honolulu (about a 2 hour ride each way) and contributing my public health knowledge to the world of tobacco control. I had the opportunity to work on a project that aims to protect youth from tobacco advertising. Throughout it all, I created a fact sheet that will be given to the lawmakers of Hawaii detailing a piece of legislation that we're trying to push. I created a presentation that will be used to empower community members and parent groups about the issue. My research has helped move forward a piece of cutting-edge tobacco control legislation in the United States. And the hope is that Hawaii will be able to stand as an example for other states and even nations. I feel like I've done something worthwhile and maybe, just maybe, I've even made a minute contribution to better the health of Hawaiians and protect families from the devastation of tobacco addiction. I love public health! Now two tests are all that stand in the way of my degree. No prob. (And bytheway, I'm definitely happy to be done with the bus. My last ride was filled with some very interesting characters.)

Yesterday and today we've had a lot of rain here on Oahu. Rain is funny here. One second you'll be walking under blue skies and literally 30 seconds later, you're drenched from head to toe by sheets of rain that appeared out of nowhere. That's what happened while we were sitting outside eating lunch yesterday.

And the rain will disappear just as quickly as it came. Similarly, if it's raining where you are, you can get in your car and drive a mile down the road and it will be beautiful weather. The North Shore gets more rain than the rest of the island. Yesterday we had a few severe weather warnings, but aside from some really heavy rain and loud thunder during the night, we're doing just fine. We're excited to head up to Haleiwa at some point and check out the 30 foot waves and surf competitions. It's only about 20 minutes away.

Brent's been doing amazingly in his classes this semester, even though he's loaded down with Organic Chemistry and Micro-Biology and the corresponding labs, an upper level English class, an online Religion class, and an entrepreneurial class. Hawaii suits him. We're excited to be done with finals and home with family in a week! See you soon!

(Sorry if this post was boring, but I thought at least my mom would care:)