Campus Shopping like a High School Senior

Finally, all paperwork has been completed, fees have been paid, and now we are awaiting admission status for the autumn quarter. The schools I've applied to are, in order of preference:

1. The Ohio State University - Columbus. Founded in 1870. One of the top 20 public universities in the U.S. with an impressive number of programs and opportunities...and a beloved state football team.
2. Ohio University - Athens. Founded in 1804. The oldest university in the Northwest Territory. Located in a small college town in the Alleghenies. 
3. University of Cincinnati Founded in 1819. One of only 20 up-and-coming national universities, according to U.S. News, with one of the most distinguished campuses in the world. 
4. Northern Kentucky University - Northern Heights, KY. Founded in 1968. Inexpensive and guaranteed admission, similar to what I was accustomed to at UCCS. 

All have Anthropology programs, and all are located in uniquely different cities. I'll be touring the prospective campuses in the next few weeks. It'll be fun to go campus shopping with so many choices nearby. 

The Great Pumpkin

Circleville's biggest claim to fame is their Pumpkin Festival. As my hairdresser said: they "worship the gourd." The following photos are not depicting the town's deity. This is the water tower.

My Domain

At the reasonable price of $8/year, I decided to go ahead and buy myself a domain name for my photography website. So, if you are interested in seeing my photos, head on over to: www.mariabishopphotography.com! Oh, and if you want to email me there it's: maria@mariabishopphotography.com.

I want to Understand. But I don't.

There is a railroad bridge that leads nowhere, located in Chillicothe betweenYoctangee Park and the floodwall/bicycle path along the Scioto River. I want to know what this structure once was, but I can't find any online literature about it.

It must have been part of the old railroad that is now the bicycle path. But why would there be a four-stalled barn beneath a covered railroad bridge? And why is the floor paved like a parking lot with car-sized lanes? And why in the world would the railroad stop like that in mid-air? I just don't understand.

Check out my new photography blog!

This is the place where I'll be showcasing my best camera work. I really like to hear what you think, so stop by and leave comments:

http://maria-bishop-photography.blogspot.com/

Hopewell Culture National Historic Park

On the opposite side of the road from ominous double-fences of razor wire that encircle the compound of the Ross County Correctional Institution is a quiet little park on the banks of the River Scioto (pronounced by the locals as: sigh-OH-tuh).

Like a peaceful cemetery, a resting place for Northeastern America's indigenous history, the mounds that rise gently from the ground evoke reverence and remembrance.

photos captured via my DROID 2 Global

Don't Worry: We're Not Giving You Malaria

We were both turned away from the Red Cross blood van for having traveled to a high malaria risk area in the last year. We had no idea it would be an issue, or we wouldn't have made appointments or prepared ourselves to be stabbed and drained of our precious blood. It would be really terrible if we came down with malaria now, seven months after returning from Centroamérica. Even worse, what if the blood we were willing to give so generously had made sicker a sick person in need of a transfusion? The Red Cross is very careful in their screening process, and for that we are grateful.