“Now that I have moved in to my second week at Upaya, things seem to be falling into place and I’m beginning to feel as if I have been here a while. I had my first experience of desperately pining for the outside world when I got pix messaged (a picture sent via phone text for those of you unfamiliar with the lingo). Now the only people who usually pix message me are my parents like my mom sending me a picture of my old elementary school or something. So imagine my surprise when I find it’s from my Bates bestie who is with other Batesies in a nice summery place doing friendly summery things.” Read more about Steph’s balance of being with only her thoughts, visits from wildlife, and infrequent yearnings for the “real” world HERE.