A fascinating morsel of truth regarding how humans came to dominate the earth.

We are the only primates who can live far away from the equatorial region, and we can do this because we manipulate plant and animal products for insulation.  

Not touting Amazon.com or anything...

The cost of higher education is amazingly high, and it keeps increasing.  It is no surprise that every single bank offers “low” interest rates for students and their parents.  FinAid.org says:  "A good rule of thumb is that tuition rates will increase at about twice the general inflation rate."  Isn't that nice?  Article here

Cost of tuition aside, I just saved a chunk of cash by shopping at Amazon.com for my school books.  I needed 7 books for next semester, and I couldn’t believe how much they were priced at in the university bookstore.  Not to talk badly of the university bookstore or anything, they are the place to go for cool UCCS paraphernalia and [pricey] last minute school supplies.  Just don't go there for books.

I made an obsessive-looking graph to show you just how much I saved by purchasing used books from sellers listed on Amazon.com.  All Amazon prices include shipping and handling.

Let Freedom Ring this Merry Christmas!

Our first O'Christmas Tree!

We and some friends went trekking into the national forest today looking for pine trees to harvest in the traditional way of the season.

It was a gorgeous day!  Perfect weather for two couples seeking their first real Christmas trees.

We had fun hiking around in the woods, watching our men do the hard work.

And here it is!!  In our living room!  Our first O'Christmas Tree!

Thanksgiving 2009

I tried something new this Thanksgiving. My husband's family took me snowboarding!

I found myself on the ground for most of the day, either on my hands and knees, or my buttocks.  I also discovered I had muscles where I never knew I had them.

The weather was perfect, it was too warm for a coat.  By the end of it, we had worked up a healthy appetite.

Later that day...






Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we went, for the tasty traditional deliciousness of my family's culinary creation.

Pathway on a Change of Plans

I know what you're thinking:  "Oh my goodness.  That girl changes her major like she changes her clothes!"

Yes, I have been indecisive (architecture, art, music, history, society, geography, philosophy, language, literature, CULTURE)...

Applying to UCCS, I said Spanish would be my major, knowing how practical it is to be fluent in the language of our neighbors.  I also said a minor would be crucial to the specialization process which I am going through at the university.

Considering that my interests include various ways of studying humans and their culture, and looking back on the most interesting course I took this semester (Introduction to Human Origins), I realized my best option would be to major in Anthropology and minor in Spanish.  This way, I still become fluent in the language of our neighbors while studying what I am truly passionate about: human beings and their interactions with each other and the environment.

Spring 2010 registration is finished, and this is my final schedule:


~Intermediate Spanish I - a continuation of my Spanish studies! Se habla español.

~Business and Professional Communication - to learn how to effectively sell my skills.

~Nature of Language - anthropological study of tongue.

~Intro to Cultural Anthropology - the counterpart to Physical Anthropology.

~Human Biology & Ecology - to deepen my understanding of human health, reproduction, and demography.

~VAPA Vocal Ensemble - a CHOIR! I haven't been in a choir since high school!

Wintertime Fotos

These fotos were taken in our front yard.

Halloween 2009

Most of my friends have children to costume and parade around the neighborhood.


Here is my husband dressed up to go to work on Halloween.