1988

Here in Washington our days are getting noticeably shorter, a sure sign that fall is on its way: What better time to sit down and send in a little update of what you are/have been doing?

From the land down under Dr. KristiannHeesch sends this news: "G'day, mate! My husband and I moved last summer from Norman, Oklahoma, where I was teaching at the University of Oklahoma, to Brisbane, Australia, where I am now in research at the University of Queensland (UQ). My field of research is physical activity and health, meaning that I try to find ways to get people to increase their level of physical activity for the health benefits it offers. I also analyze longitudinal data to see whether increases in physical activity lead to decreases in various health conditions (ex., a walking program that should decrease osteoarthritis symptoms). Australians seem to be bothered by the same health problems as Americans and prefer to watch sports rather than play them; obesity is on the rise as it is in the United States. We are loving our life here. Australians are extremely friendly. The hardest adjustment has been learning to drive on the left side of the road. We still prefer to have us both in the car: one to drive and one to say, 'Keep left!' and to be navigator. We often get confused driving because the streets change names every few blocks and unpredictably curve around the hills upon which the city is built and the river snaking its way through it. We have ocean about 30 minutes to the east and gentle mountains to the north, south and west; most weekends find us 'bushwalking' (hiking) and birding in the mountains or walking along one of the numerous beach areas. My contract at UQends in 2009 but we are hoping to get permanent residency so we can stay as long as we can. Cheers, mate!"

Another classmate in the health field, Julia Mairs is working as a physical therapist but in a more administrative manner. She writes: "I am the corporate wellness coordinator for a group of 34 continued care retirement communities in the Midwest. I do everything from training and teaching residents and staff to ordering equipment to writing policy and procedures to whatever else is physically wellness-related. I am still playing tennis but instead of my own competing, I am teaching high schoolers and college kids. I have also returned to triathlons and started bike racing. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before I was diagnosed with melanoma, so I am also doing a lot of assistance as we approach the challenges she has ahead (chemo and radiation). Jane Grussing Lonnquist lives nearby in Edina, Minnesota; I am waiting for my Stella Artois beer pong invite as her husband John, has some amazing ping pong table from Europe. I think he is still practicing to ensure that I don't beat him!"

Ruth Heintz is living in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, with her husband, a furniture maker, and her 3-year-old son. "I work at New Hampshire Legal Assistance as a staff attorney. I've been a 'legal aid' attorney for 10 years now, previously in Ohio and Oregon. We moved to New Hampshire two years ago. Unfortunately, we're too far away from Hanover to take advantage of the many cultural programs at the Hop, but maybe when our lad gets older. I am enjoying the opportunity to hike the mountains here again, though our destinations are more modest than the Presidentials with a little lad along."

18920 Viking Way Nw, Poulsbo,WA 98370; tcslack@earthlink. net