[manasecret]

My little story.

Tulane University won't open until I've heard 9/27, but that sounds optimistic. So instead Tulane students are scrambling to register for any university in their area where they can at least take some classes. Rice University is just one of many universities helping Tulane students out, and since I'm in Houston that helps me. They're taking applications until 9/8 and they'll let us know that very Monday 9/12 if we're accepted.

I think it's super generous of them, and I'm applying. I'm guessing humanities are the classes that most people will take, because they would be easy to transfer. Unfortunately for me I'm in my fourth year of engineering, which includes the final project, and I need only one more non-engineering class. So this won't help me get closer to graduating. But at least I can keep my mind sharp. I'm sitting here at home doing nothing. You know that useless feeling you get when you're not doing anything at all? What do you do when you feel selfish doing anything besides help, but there's so little you can do to help?

However, I am in a good position to help here in Houston. Since practically all of the Superdome evacuees are coming to the Astrodome, they're asking for volunteers (my brother-in-law is already helping).

It's just that I'm not worried about the ones already in Houston, they have food and water and air conditioning and everything they need. The ones dying are still stuck in Nola. Babies and old folks are dying in that New Orleans heat, and they have very little potable water and any food. And those are the ones that we can do nothing to help. We can only hope that the military and government agencies can get them out as quick as possible.

I know I have the least of the problems. I was only renting in Nola, and I hadn't even moved in yet. Plus I'm safe. But university students like me are still a small part of the story that I thought you'd like to hear about.