Ashley Does Boston

Fall in Boston

2008-10-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

Went on a bike ride this morning and took some shots of the leaves changing over the bike path. Sunny and cool today.

Andrew Bird sings about Pesticides

2008-10-03T16:20:00.001-07:00

Lyrics to Spare-ohs :

The finches and sparrows build nests in my chimney
what remains of the small flightless birds that you failed to protect

but their yolk isn't easy in fact it's a drag
as they're blowing through cornfields and mountains of rags

all over the suburbs
across the great lawns
crop-dusting gardens all over this town

but nobody cares when it gets in their hair
it gets in their lungs as it floats through the air
it gets in the food that they buy and prepare
but nobody cares when it gets in their hair

across the great chasms and schisms
and the sudden aneurisms
where the black ink will drip
across the crespice of your
eyes and your teeth
are worth more than you can spare
oh don't tell me that it just isn't fair
don't speak about the cycles of life
'cause your thoughts are so soft
I could cut 'em with a spork or a bride's knife

and the wine made our mouths too loose
such a reckless choice of words
when you tell me that I'm too obstruce
I just thought it was a kind of bird
I just stood there not saying a word

Organic Farm Trip-- Prairie Horizon's Farm

2008-10-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

My dietetic practice group of the American Dietetic Association- Hunger and Environmental Nutrition(HEN) convened on Mary Jo Forbord's organic farm in Minnesota for strategic planning, epicurean delights, and amazing convergence of ideas and ideals. After an introductory semester of US Agriculture, I was able to take a field trip into the heart of America to see a history of farm policy in action.

My photos tell the story. Enjoy.

In 1973, the oil crisis, Vietnam war, Watergate and inflation were on the rise. As hunger and depression hit the rural areas, Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butts enters the scene. His motos:

'fence row to fence row' and 'get big or get out!'

Fern Gale Estrow- New York- MS, RD, CDN - Policy Guru - Driving us home.
Kelly Horton- Seattle- MS, RD, CD Tufts Food Policy Graduate: owner of Connect Nutrition - Co-pilot.

Me with my backseat companion and cohort, Caroline Baum Webber PhD RD- Professor and Director of Dietetic Internship at Western Michigan.

Sunset over the farm.

Back row: Melinda Hemmelgarn MS RD:The Food Sleuth, Susan Roberts JD MS RD: Visionary HEN Mama, Fern
Front row: Caroline, Lynn Mader MBA RD: The All Star, me, Chris Wharton PhD-Nutrition Professor at ASU, but also a rock star: Our Presidential Hopeful, Andy Sarjahani, (almost) RD, Sustainability Soilder at Virginia Tech: Intensity Builder who always lives the dream, Angie Tagtow MS RD LN, Consultant & Food and Society, Ames, Iowa: The Teacher, The Inspiration.

Back: Mary Jo Forbord RD: Co-owner of Prairie Horizons Farm, Family Farm Visionary & Hopeful and HEN Historian, Barbara Hartman RD West Virgina: Spiritual Mama and Guide; Helen Costello MS RD LS- New Hampshire and Friedman School graduate: Or, Melinda, Susan, Fern.
Backrow: Christina Dyer MS RD NYC: The General, Caroline, Lynn, me Chris, Andy, Chief, Angie, Kim Prendergast MS RD- Massachusetts: Our President and Kelly.

Farmer Luverne Forbord takes us on the farm tour.

The dogs run along side, until they hop up for a ride.

Mary Jo explains the challenges of being organic is a conventional and industrial agriculture world. Their love for the land and respect of ecosystem is apparent in everything they do.

Buffer Zone- Since the Forbord's farm is surrounded by GM corn from Cargill, they have opted to utilize some of their own acereage for a buffer zone. Although it is the other farm's responsibility, they came to the conclusion it is more energy efficient than going to court.

The old dairy farm that Luverne grew up on. The silos were built with 20% interest in the 70's during times of grain surpluss. They now sit empty since their cattle are grass fed.

Luverne and Mary Jo have a vision of turning the old farm and farm house (below) into a education and community center. They are considering a farmers market, interns and want to utilize the house for guest to come learn and write about an important practice that is eroding away from farms in America.

This could be my home one day.

Erosion is not a new topic to convential farming and the issue continues to grow due to monocropping and lack of care to the soil. A talk with Angie Tagtow revealed more of the destruction happening in Iowa:

During June 2008, 60% of Iowa's counties lost an average of seven tons of soil per acre as a result of the flooding. That is 15,680 pounds of soil lost in one acre in a month. Year-to-date erosion data have identified several areas in Iowa that have lost upwards of 56 tons of soil per acre. That is more than 125,000 pounds of soil lost per acre in eight months. According to Soil Science Society of America, it takes 500 years to build up one inch of topsoil. Without significant transformation in agriculture and land use policies and practices which protect, perserve and build fertile soil, the astounding loss of soil will significantly deteriorate the ability to grow healthy, fresh food and sustain societies.

How' that for homeland security?

This is about 5 feet of erosion on the Forbords property line going into the cargill field. GM corn and soy continues to be planted here annually. Another issue is the lack of biodiversity, which directly translates to the American diet.

The Forbords are also running out of pasture this season due to the lack of rain in the last three months. These soybeans, which typically would be harvested and then dried, have dried out in the fields.

The Forbord's beef. These guys were (hold your ears guys) going to slaughter the next day.

He was not too happy that we were visiting.

Picking crab-apples. In this area, the Forbord's had brought in a herd of goats to do some clearing work, and clear they did. Across from here they are attempting to regrow some of the lost native prairie lands. It is said that only 1% of the native prairie's remain in the area. The regrowth project is being done completely by hand.

Kelly and her crab-apples.

Chief takes a ride.

Luverne let me drive the tractor as Chris, Cristina and Kim held on for dear life. Apparently I was a natural. This tractor is from the 50's!

Letting the clutch out nice and easy.

The HEN founders/grandma's: Helen, Mary Pat Raimondi, Barb, Sue and Angie.

The guys harvest food from the garden for our Iron Chef competition. I think Chris found a good one. The secret ingredients were Apples and Farrow (a grain).

Our team's meal.

Me pondering the plight of the organic farmer and the need for a major overhaul in the agriculture policies enacted in this country to help save the family farm.

whirlwind

2008-09-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

Amazing enough, it has been 10 days since my last blog. What a whirlwind. Guess you can say I am in the thick of it.

Since it would be utterly boring (for you) to recreate my school week, I thought today would be a good one to give highlights from. It(Thursday) is my longest day and today is quite a nice replica of the engagement occurring in my neck of the woods.

8:00 coffee in hand, walk into US Agriculture and take my normal spot. Today we are finishing up a movie called King Corn. If you have ever wondered about US Ag, The Farm Bill, Subsidies, OR if you have ever eaten in America, this movie is worth a viewing. In fact, add it to your Netflicks right now & pop some popcorn. It sums up so much of the work I am doing.

Next class, Ag, Science and Policy. I had a quiz on pesticides. We talked about alternative methods to agriculture.

Since I work in Chinatown, I took myself to lunch at a Pho restaurant and finished up some reading for my policy class. We were discussing How a Bill Becomes a Law, the legislator and the
controversial Food for Peace program that a professor at Tufts is instrumental in developing.

This video was shown from the CARE website and I have to admit, made me a bit emotional.
It's called the Girl Effect:
http://www.care.org/getinvolved/girleffect/index.asp

After class I road bikes and met up with my friend Angel to see my "hero" Marion Nestle speak at Harvard Book Store. She is publicizing her new book: Pet Food Politics, The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine. I follow her What to Eat Blog, which is wonderful. The Pet food book talks about the recalls in pet food after pets began to get sick and die. Frightening, they found out the food was all basically coming from the same place and that the protein source was coming from China. Apparently there is a history of "faking" how much protein is in something by adding a high nitrogen industrial chemical called melamine. The high nitrogen part was giving animals crystalized kidneys and they were dying. Oddly enough much of the supplement additives we(America) uses, comes from, you guessed it, China. Oh, and the supplement, like the pet food industry is not regulated.
NEWSFLASH--- Melamine was recently found in BABY FORMULA in China.

To end this entry on an up note,
"Do Food Policy and Change the World" -Marion Nestle is what was written in my copy.

Exciting News and Opportunity!

2008-09-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

Last email I got an email from Dr. Parke Wilde, an associate professor at Friedman that specializes in U.S. food policy and econometrics. Having been in touch over the last few months, he grew fond of my efforts at keeping my food blog: The Epicurean Ideal. I also have been proactive in sharing with him interesting news articles and issues unfolding in the field. After a meeting with him today, I am happy to say that he wants me to be a guest writer on his blog: U.S. Food Policy.

The opportunity will allow me to post on Parke's blog, which receives close to 100 hits a day (as opposed to my 2-3...thank-you whoever you are!) It assures me a bit of name recognition and will allow me to cross post onto my blog. I will be attributing 1-2 posts a week and he is adding my blog on his home page list of other blogs! How's that for some exposure!?

I hope you will tune in and get up to date on your food policy. Who would of thought my two favorite things: food and politics would have lead me to such a life?

Jam packed

2008-09-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

School has officially began and I couldn't be happier at the choice I have made to continue my education at Tufts. My classes are taught by some very talented and accomplished people that offer amazing perspectives in the field. My classes are:

US Agriculture
Agriculture, Food and Society II
Statistical Methods
Public Policy

Interestingly enough, they all mesh well together.

There have been many social events to kick off the school year where I have met previous students, faculty and new students alike. The students here all have a cohesion in passions and interest and my group of friends is slowly materializing.

Today was the Alumni Picnic in Concord near Walden Pond. Beautiful weather and scenery.

I am easing into the life of a graduate student. Reading is my best friend. The library of choice is at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. The halls are adorned with fantastic photos of places I need to go. Mostly Africa. Wow.

Work starts in the morning, as does my Crossfit exercise group that me and a few ladies are doing.

4 day weekend. already!

2008-08-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

Usually I would find it is a nice treat to get a 4 day weekend, I must admit: I am ready for school to begin. I Don't think I will be singing the same tune in a month.

Yesterday, while my friends gathering in El Paso, Texas to celebrate the union of Kasi and Nate, I thought of them as I took my first swim in the Atlantic Ocean. A group of students from my school drove out to Rockport to walk around the brick town, eat some grub on the harbor, play frisbee in the park and yes, swim in the ocean.

Here we are with my new boyfriend:

(left to right: Juli-Oregon-Nutrition Communications major, Allison-Connecticut-Nutrition Communications, Jesse-California-Biochemical Nutrition/MPH, Sophie-Oklahoma-Food Policy/MPH, Vladamir-Germany-PhD in Biomed Nutrition)

I missed this one:

As cold as Barton Springs:

Orientation

2008-08-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last two days at the official school orientation and i must say that my excitement and pride for the journey I have embarked on is stronger then ever.

As the Talking Head's song goes "And you may ask yourself, well, how did I get here"

I knew I was choosing the right school, but now I know even more as to why. The University has pride in taking a very interdisciplinary approach to real world problems. Traditionally a strong liberal arts school, the school is more recently known for graduating some of the most provocative thinkers and more importantly players in global affairs.

Today I did more then take a tour of the Medford campus. I feel like I have taken a tour of myself. A video entitled: TUFTS IS? was shown at the end of the orientation and it awoke some passion in me to attempt to attack complicated issues in order to be that change I wish to see in the world. The morning session revealed even more opportunities for involvement with faculty and staff to work on research. I know this is something I would like to do and will in fact do.

I have been thinking a lot about what path I should take during my short time at Tufts, in particularly, my schedule. My adviser recently asked me the ultimate question, "What is your dream job." That is a good question! Have you ever thought about it? Is it money? Partially. Is it making an impact. Absolutely. Is it doing what you love? Yes again.

Exploring this question, I thought creating a list of my current interests in the field might help. I think it falls somewhere between policy making/research AND program design and development. (like CSPI, USDA)

I am hesitant to get trapped in a place where red tape is going to compromise my ideals and passions, so I am not sure if government is a safe place for me, but I am not completely oppose. I believe you have to get into the mouth of the beast to make change and I am willing to do so.

So here is my current list of interests/movements/issues/research ideas:

market control and conglomeration of the beef industry and its control of policy exp. environmental laws

the use of antibiotics in the meat/milk industries and the effects on the population and environment (MRSA, water systems)

the environmental impact of our current food system (producing, packaging, transporting etc) and the effect of an overhaul- how to move forward when we need to move back

Biotechnology, GMO's and food labeling (possibly the use of allergies as a door stop for possible policy) Right to know legislation, safety and proper testing BEFORE these foods hit the markets, as well as the effects of GMO on small farmers, developing nations (ie Soya Republic in Argentina) I am also interested in human rights and the tactics of large corporations over these defenseless populations

Food labeling/country of orgin

Sustainability in general

Water in general

So that's a start. I also think staying with FPAN(Food Policy and Applied Nutrition) is my decision. I was strongly considering changing to AFE (Agriculture Food and Environment). So I am staying with my first choice reason being, I think the skill base translates into the real world and potential job prospects easier.

As far as my schedule is concerned, I will for sure be taking:
Fundamentals of Public Policy
Statistical Methods in Nutrition Research
Fundamentals of United States Agriculture

As far as my 4th class: I wanted to take one of Dr. Krimsky's classes, because he was recommended to me by some other colleagues. Check out his bio. The only one he has available is
UEP 0277-01 ADVANCED SEMINAR: SOCIAL RISK AND TOXIC CHEMICALS: BUT it doesn't fit in my schedule.

His other classes of interest are:
Social Risk and Toxic Chemicals
Biotech, Nature and Society &
Chemicals, Health and Environment

There is one class that fits in my schedule this semester:
UEP 284 Developing Sustainable Communities with Julian Agyeman on Tuesday at 1:30 at the Medford Campus. I looked at his bio and his class can't be anything short of amazing. I shot him an email to see if it was possible to take the class and if I could take a food systems approach with my work so we shall see. Check out his bio too! AMAZING

I am also strongly thinking of doing the Water Certificate with a project focusing on runoff and usage of the beef industry.

Our program is very international and has students from Uganda (working in Darfur region), China, Japan, Russia, Croatia, and almost every state in the US. We also have a guy from the Netherlands. Of course he is super cute, so I am trying to ignore him so I can focus on my studies. HAHA!

My Dad asked if I am making friends. I am making some of the best. We are taking time out to really explore this amazing city and everything it has to offer. Today we relaxed by playing frisbee in the park. Apparently Tufts has quite the ultimate fribee team!

There are 200 bibs reserved for Tufts students that want to train (with trainers) for the Boston marathon. I haven't decided yet, but it is in my grasp.

I am still a bit overwhelmed. Excited. Ready!

Into the Groove

2008-08-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

Things are starting to settle in a bit as I get more used to my surroundings. I have been a bit homesick and depressed the last few days. Luckily talks and encouragement from my family members have helped to alleviate some of the sadness. I am also trying to keep busy.

Yesterday I signed up for yoga at a nice studio upstairs from Elm street. It is upstairs with windows and they have morning and evening classes as well as HOT classes. (done in 95 degree heat....how's that for curing my homesickness?)

I am currently sharing an office space with my adviser and I know we are going to get along great. We spoke today on lots of topics that are of interest to me and he tends to be just as radical, in the best sense of the word.

I found a Co-op in Harvard Square that has a lot of the same groceries I am used to buying, and today, there was a Farmers Market AT my school...in the building...with produce from a farming project for immigrants. I have started to cook and pack my lunch more considering beers at $5 for the cheapies and I can't get out of a restaurant for $15. It's adding up fast.

Meeting people slowly but surely. Found a friend, possibly a daily friend, who works at a bike shop to help me learn to tune up my bike and change my tires. He is going to show me the safe routes and started a Tufts Bike riding club that takes longer rides to Lexington and even to Walden Pond. Should be beautiful in the fall.

Weather is currently amazing. Sunny. Cool. AHHH

Sight-seeing

2008-08-18T05:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend I did more exploring of the city. Went to Fenway off the Greenline to do some shopping at BBB during the no tax weekend. Of course it happened to be game day, so the streets were packed. I can't wait to see my first sox game.

Kara, who is doing work up in CT right now, drove down on Saturday night. Driving in Boston is quite a task. Lots of ones ways, no street signs, and when there are street signs the name of the street changes depending on when neighborhood you are in. Next time she'll take the train.

We went out for some drinks at some bars in Cambridge and met folks from all over. Lots of nerdy engineers from MIT.

The next morning we went to Jazz Brunch at Johnny D's and caught the T into downtown. We spent the day touring around starting with the Freedom Trail. A red line on the sidewalk that takes your through miles of historical sites of the American Revolution. For example: the spot where the Boston Massacre happened (only 5 were killed), the old state house, and the balcony where the Constitution was written for the first time.

We then checked out the great architecture of churches, libraries, and other buildings in the downtown. We walked through Boston Common and the beautiful tree lined Commonwealth, caught some Indian Food and headed back because my stomach was upset.

Early to bed, early to rise. This morning I have an interview for a job during the school year working in the alumni office. It's 8 hours a week. No big deal, but my current position is only temporary.

Watch the cars & new job!

2008-08-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

I didn't take James too seriously when he said to stay out of the street. Now I see what he means. I have almost got hit walking into the cross walks without paying much attention. Yikes!

Painted my room yesterday.

Explored the area. I must have walked 15 miles. A very different lifestyle. I was exhausted at the end of the day, but managed to stay up until 1am watching the Woman's All Around Gymnastic Finals. US took the gold and the silver. Amazing how gracefully those 15 year old "woman" deal with the pressure.

In other news: I landed a job today! I knew I would hit the ground running, and I will. I start today!

Here is the posting for the position:

Part time, approximately 20 hours per week for next two to three weeks supporting
Friedman School Symposium administrative duties.

Specific duties include contacting speakers to support submission of necessary paperwork,presentations, and confirm travel arrangements. Research (mostly online) to identifyprospective attendees and sponsors, and general administrative duties.
Hours are flexible within the 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM work day.
Pay rate is $12.00 per hour.

The symposium is Lectures and Roundtable Discussions from U.S. and International Speakers on Subjects That Will Affect Food Policy and Industry in 2008 and Beyond.

The keynote speaker is former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman. Maybe it will be a good networking event. You think?!

Arrival

2008-08-14T06:51:00.001-07:00

Flight was nice. Bonus points for Jetblue. (they have direct flights from Austin to Boston BTW)
I met my roommate Katie for a pint and dinner at Joshua Tree, a local sports bar. She left me some nice flowers in my new room.
Went to sleep pretty early after studying some maps and planning my day.
Woke up at 6:30am this morning and took a jog around the area, up to the Tufts campus. It is 68 degrees today and sunny. AHH!
Checked out the local library. They have free wireless.
I am painting a couple walls of my room today before moving all my stuff in.
Also will do some grocery shopping.
Kara, who is in Connecticut will be coming down this weekend so we can do some site seeing.
Feeling good. Happy to be here.

Family and Friends

2008-08-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

Family and Friends,
As many of you know, I will be pursuing a master’s degree in Boston beginning in September. Through the guidance, support, and love of my family and friends I am assured that this move is going to be a capstone to my growth as a young individual and a perfect bridge to my professional career goals.
I will continue my studies at Tufts University, a private research university in Medford/Somerville, near Boston. The University is home to the nation’s oldest graduate school of international relations: The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. My graduate school: The Gerald J and Dorothy R. Friedman (no relation), is the only graduate school of nutrition science in the nation. The school is actually located in the Health Science Center, right in the middle of downtown Bean Town near Chinatown and the Theater district. Much of their own research is done in the adjoining hospital, labs and exercise science center.
Hey Longhorns, eat your heart out:

Jumbo, Tufts University's official mascot, was a male African elephant owned by P.T. Barnum, a Tufts trustee and benefactor. Jumbo was the largest elephant known at the time, standing approximately 12 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing more than six tons.
Though Jumbo never visited the Tufts campus during his lifetime, Barnum donated Jumbo's stuffed hide to Tufts College in 1889, when the pachyderm became the Tufts mascot.

Davis Square

No car is necessary due to the beauty of public transportation. I will be living 7 stops out of town on the Red Line in Davis Square. I look forward to the 20 minute ride with my coffee or tea and the newspaper, people watching or catching up on course readings. The red line goes right through Harvard Square and MIT. Davis Square is a cobblestone square of mostly local businesses, mainly coffee shops, hip clothing and ethnic restaurants. The Somerville Community Path runs right through the middle of the square, and is really close to the Minuteman Bikeway, which is a 13 mile paved, shaded loop to Lexington. The square is known for its artsy folk, music and has a farmers market on Wednesdays. The award winning Johnny D’s has a Sunday Jazz Brunch that is already calling my name.

Minute Man Bike Path

A three-minute walk from my subway stop leads me down Jay Street to my quaint and comfortable apartment. Here is the street view:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=9+Jay+St,+Somerville,+MA+02144,+USA&ll=42.404731,-71.124802&spn=0.009443,0.028152&z=15&iwloc=addr

I will be living on the bottom floor, under the owners of the house, who, luckily, shovel our snow. My roommate, Katie, I met through Craigslist and have stayed with the few times I have visited the school. We will make a good match. She is in her 30’s and works for an investment banking firm. She knows a great deal about the city and all the happenings and has a large collection of tour books to assist my adventures. She likes quiet evenings, a glass of red wine, and small dinner parties. The house is clean, with a pottery barn feel and an in-unit washer and dryer. My room is an average size with a moderate size closet to fit my expanding wardrobe of warmth.

Tufts Campus

The Tufts University campus is also located in Somerville close to the Davis Square stop. Although I will be taking limited class at the campus, I will however be close to the facilities: the recreation center, student health center, bookstores and libraries.

I will be entering the program at Friedman as a Food Policy and Applied Nutrition student. Since I have already obtained my Registered Dietitian Certification, I have accumulated a few graduate courses that allow me to place out of a few introductory classes. This leaves credits open to cater my education as I see fit. I foresee myself merging classes in the Agriculture, Food and Environment tract. You can read more about the programs at:
http://nutrition.tufts.edu/1174562918439/Nutrition-Page-nl2w_1177953853007.html

Each student is required to complete a 400 hour internship of your choice. Some of the previous students have worked with Non-Governmental Organizations like Save the Children or the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington DC. Others:
Summer 2006 AFE Student Internships
• World Bank/Tufts University, Bangladesh
• SJH & Co. Agribusiness Consulting, MA
• UNICEF
• UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Italy
• Organic Valley, WI
• Center for Disease Control, USDA, Federal programs
• Organic Farming Research Foundation, CA
• M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, India
• Winrock International, Nepal
• Equal Exchange/Red Tomato, MA
• New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, MA

As you can see the possibilities are wide-ranging and allow me the freedom to follow a path of integrity and altruistic humanitarian pursuits as well as break some cultural boundaries in the process. The prestige of the school and its strong connections leave me in good standings as I enter the professional world. Many graduates of the program secure positions from their internship providers or the like. There are also opportunities to secure a dual degree through the combined degree programs at other schools. I can get my Masters of Science (MS) as well as a Masters in Public Health(MPH) which is through the Medical School or a Masters of Arts in Law and Diplomacy(MALD) through the renowned Fletcher School. Of course these bridges will be crossed once I get settled in and consult my adviser.

Obviously, this investment in my future is not free, although with a lot of help, I have secured some funds. I am happy to report that Tufts has offered me $16,000, or $4,000 a semester. I also received the 2008 Barbara Ann F. Hughes- NEP DPG Continuing Education Award of $1000. I am waiting to hear back from numerous other scholarships I applied for, and trust the big bucks will start rolling in.  Boston is an expensive city and going back to Top Raman, after being spoiled with the Austin Restaurant Scene, my own garden, and Wheatsville Co-op is going to take some adjustment. I plan on working on my crock-pot skills to provide my fodder by the week. Lentils are sure to be my best friend, as will Clam Chowder and Sam Adams. Care packages with chips and salsa are highly encouraged.

I have been asked by my Dietetic Practice Group, HEN, aka Hunger and Environmental Nutrition to be the Legislative Chair for 2008-2009. This group has been instrumental in my career aspirations and I have connected with many of the members on the East coast who are awaiting my arrival. Some part time job prospects are available. My position with HEN will allow me to stay abreast of the world of dietetics while perusing my degree. The are paying for me to attend the HEN steering committee meeting at a farm outside of Minneapolis at the end of September along with 11 other members. They will also be partially financing my attendance at the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition conference in Chicago October 25-27. These are huge networking and professional events.

I am heartened to hear that the bluegrass scene is alive and kicking in Boston, with some of the neatest venues and picking places on the East Coast. There also is a presence of Kerrville Folk living in Somerville that will no doubt become my weekly friends. My daily friends will consist of two girls I met at Open House. Caroline Chapman has been living in Cambridge for a couple years and is working at Harvard Medical School doing research on Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t have a nutrition background, but a true passion and understanding of the field and the issue surrounding it. She is sweet and pleasant and looks forward to dinner parties and wine. I was happy to hear she plays acoustic guitar as well. Sophie Oppenheimer is my other breath of fresh air. She is from Colorado and will be my constant reminder to get outside and run away to the hike scenic areas of New England. Sophie and I ducked out early of the research conference to walk around the city and we were instant buddies. She has a huge heart and will work in Humanitarian Assistance program. We and 3 other Friedman students already have lawn tickets to attend Farm Aid in Boston in September. Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and Neil Young will be playing.

Boston is a perfect city for a patriot to get a sure glimpse of the history and progressiveness that our forefathers brought forth. Walking near Boston Common you are immediately surrounded by the battlegrounds of the true patriots. Boston Harbor housed the biggest tea party known to man. One balcony near Faneuil Hall is the first place the Constitution of the United States was read. Also to see are The Boston Massacre Site, Paul Reveres House, the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument (to name a few). The Boston Public Library is breathtaking. I envision myself studying with the finest of thinkers within the marble walls. Orientation at the end of the month will include a Duck Tour that paints a great picture of this marvelous city.

Boston Common in October

Boston Public Library

"Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice, and need."

Don’t be surprised if I return wearing red socks instead of Chaco’s.

I leave you with some of my favorite quotes that have lit my fire along my journey. Thank you all for your love and support and I look forward to your visits, emails and phone calls. Love, Ashley

"Unless someone like You cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."-Dr. Seuss
"The destiny of nations depends on how well they nourish themselves." Brillat-Savarin
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” Network
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. “ -Edward Abbey
"True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else." - Clarence Darrow
“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” -Benjamin Franklin
“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Ashley Colpaart
9A Jay St
Somerville, MA 02144
512.644.5062