Well, as most of you know, I've been considering deferring graduate school for a year to go back to Africa as a volunteer. I've thought a lot about it and have decided that this is what I really want to do. I know that most of you have not been supportive of this idea, but I hope that I have your trust and respect when it comes to my ability to make decisions about my future. Some of you are worried that another year off will hurt me with respect to starting graduate school, I assure you it changes nothing. I know what is required of me in graduate school and have recieved good advice on the matter from others who are even more familiar with the process than me. Maybe some of you think I won't even want to go to graduate school afterwards. Please relax, I've always wanted and still want to go. Research and getting a doctorate's degree are very important to me. I just don't feel a need or see an advantage in rushing through every step of my life. Does anybody really look back on their life at the age of 70 and say "Man, I wish I had started working one year earlier!"? Hopefully not...as for the summer option, its not really an option. You don't get long summer vacations in graduate school. I also talked to the people at UCSF and they feel it is a bad idea to stop the program once started and I agree with them. Once I'm a graduate student my main focus has to be school and research. I'm so excited when I think about the possibilities for this next year. I've already learned so much during my travels. I also know that some of you think this is a waste of my abilities and potential...that I could help so many more people with research indirectly. I'm not giving up my plans or my life!=) I just also want to experience making a difference in people's lives directly, even if only for a short period of time. A real waste in potential is to see beautiful children not a have a chance from the start. If I can help just a little, it is worth it for me. I'm sure most of your concerns are about my safety. I promise you all that I will research my trip thoroughly before I go. I'm not going to live in an area with a high rate of disease and crime. I will always be careful and keep my safety in mind. I also already have friends there to help me out when needed. I'm so happy about my decision and hope that you can be supportive of me. Your support has always been so important to me. If anyone wants to talk about this some more, my email is [email protected], if you don't want to post it. I love you all and miss you very much and am really looking forward to seeing you again in August!