The Gum Tree for 2004 September 7

For the world, and all the while I am living quite comfortably her in my padded and protected little community here in Provo. Let's see, this Labor Day weekend we had Hurricane Francis (no relation) and the massacre of Beslan in Russia. It is so easy to just not think about the problems of others, isn't it. And as for Beslan, even though it is so far away, the salient, poignient fact that People can do that to other people is astonishing, but unbeleivable as the madness of terrorist can be, it is what the world has to deal with. An attack of that sort on any nation is an attack on human dignity. The future is exciting for me, however, and I hope that I can just contribute to the wellbeing and happiness of others. Louise and I have been doing great. Our first week at school went by with no major problems. Labor Day Weekend was also exciting for Mom (Anne) who got hitched on Friday. Last I heard they were in an undisclosed location in North Carolina. May they have all the happiness that they deserve, as well as at least half the happiness that they don't. Louise's Mom called on Saturday, and we talked to her a bit. Sounds like we will have a new neice in a week or so. Paul and Rebecca in Brisbane are having their Second Girl. We also spent much of Saturday night with Omel and Sarah Contreras. Since there were two of us out of the four that are currently applying for U.S. Citizenship, we decided to watch "In America". It was a good film (except for a little portion that had to be skipped) about Irish American Imigrants as well as the general human condition of poverty, sickness, death, birth and enduring the jolts and jarrs of life. It was a well rounded film, and it made me want to go to New York for Medical School! Life is great in america, and I hope that we just don't forget the other 70% of the world that lives below our poverty level.