I'll be visiting Kansas this weekend. I'm glad, it will be nice to be back where people know me and like me (not that they don't know me or like me here). You guys just have more experience with me! Probably not the best idea all around... visiting there could bring back the idea that I don't have near as many good friends in CO. Also, it may be bad for me academically... what with there being so much reading I have to do. So I've got this uneasy feeling in my stomach which persists and make me think I'll drive off the road or something on the way there, as if I haven't made this trip many times before. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be going and so amazed and greatful that so many of my friends are excited to have me come and visit and spend time with them. But it could be a bit painful. Meh.
I think I may have an idea of a 'problem' I'd like to study for my graduate program. It's not the area I had expected... tourism... but given I have no experience in either ecotourism or protected area management it's something that I've actually come up with a question I'd like to help solve. I figure from what I've heard of ecotourism too, that the concepts surrounding what makes it ecotourism could be applicable to general parks management in some areas. So, even if I don't want to have a career in ecotourism, perhaps the knowledge is transferrable?
Or maybe I'm just over-rationalizing
oh, and I'm going to audit the undergrad class I'm in so I dont' have to do the homework, take the tests and can to an extent come and go with different classes.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Currently Reading
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches
By John W. Creswell
phew! I made it through the first week. I'm intact even. Now it's time for probably my first relaxing and last relaxing weekend (except next weekend in Kansas!!!!!!!!) for quite a while. Tomorrow evening is videogame electronica music in Denver with Ryan and a buddy of his... this could be absolutly hilarious.
The rest of my weekend will be devoted to reading Wicked, doing my stats homework, reading for Ecotourism and reading for my research design class. I am also probably going to get to the rec center to go swimming and or take a class or two. Oh, and church.:)
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches
By John W. Creswell
phew! I made it through the first week. I'm intact even. Now it's time for probably my first relaxing and last relaxing weekend (except next weekend in Kansas!!!!!!!!) for quite a while. Tomorrow evening is videogame electronica music in Denver with Ryan and a buddy of his... this could be absolutly hilarious.
The rest of my weekend will be devoted to reading Wicked, doing my stats homework, reading for Ecotourism and reading for my research design class. I am also probably going to get to the rec center to go swimming and or take a class or two. Oh, and church.:)
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Currently Reading
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
By Gregory Maguire
Woo! Finally the book came in from the library! 'Course, it was just in time for school's massive amount of reading. I'm having to heavily restrict my time reading.:(
Still getting used to being back and not in KS. Luckily my department is small so getting to know people shouldn't be too bad, and my job is another group of people who are potential friends. One of them went to Poudre and graduated IB in 2003! I don't think I ever met him, but I did know some of his friends.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
By Gregory Maguire
Woo! Finally the book came in from the library! 'Course, it was just in time for school's massive amount of reading. I'm having to heavily restrict my time reading.:(
Still getting used to being back and not in KS. Luckily my department is small so getting to know people shouldn't be too bad, and my job is another group of people who are potential friends. One of them went to Poudre and graduated IB in 2003! I don't think I ever met him, but I did know some of his friends.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Currently Listening
New Favorite
By Alison Krauss, Union Station
"Walking around with a shovel is just fun!" Dr. Newman
My first class, my first day at grad school...
Dr. Newman was actually referring to a picture of himself he'd put in his ppt. He was referring to being a park ranger one summer and how he just walked around with a shovel all summer and cleaned things and made trails.
Also, another highlight, this one from my job. I'm beginning to think that this could be a very interesting, silly job. We had lunch together today, everyone is now here and working, so we're a crew of 6 now (rather than 3). After pizza Brian's wife, Carol, came and met us with bunches of tie-died shirts. Now, just a little background here: our outfit/uniform for the Little Shop of Physics is a tie-died shirt that says "Little Shop of Physics" on the front and the "tour dates" on the back (dates that schools were visited!). Apparently some upcoming Sunday we will be getting together to make 160 shirts. So, we had to pick the colors. Carol and Brian apparently love to tie-die, because the shirts she brought in were options they had made so we could vote on our favorites. It was super democratic (unlike the election procedure in the US, as Brian mentioned about 5 times) and we narrowed it down to a second elimination. Brian took this very seriously, and we were supposed to, so we did too. These shirts, he said, we would be wearing almost Every Tuesday This Semester and More, so we'd have to like the colors. Finally, after maybe 10 minutes of discussing our options and why we liked each shirt, we decided on a nice option that is cobalt blue, turquois and yellow.
Can you believe that? All the while I was participating part of my mind was in disbelief that such a simple decision as colors for tie-die could be so important and take as much time as it did. Makes me smile. This is who I work for!
New Favorite
By Alison Krauss, Union Station
"Walking around with a shovel is just fun!" Dr. Newman
My first class, my first day at grad school...
Dr. Newman was actually referring to a picture of himself he'd put in his ppt. He was referring to being a park ranger one summer and how he just walked around with a shovel all summer and cleaned things and made trails.
Also, another highlight, this one from my job. I'm beginning to think that this could be a very interesting, silly job. We had lunch together today, everyone is now here and working, so we're a crew of 6 now (rather than 3). After pizza Brian's wife, Carol, came and met us with bunches of tie-died shirts. Now, just a little background here: our outfit/uniform for the Little Shop of Physics is a tie-died shirt that says "Little Shop of Physics" on the front and the "tour dates" on the back (dates that schools were visited!). Apparently some upcoming Sunday we will be getting together to make 160 shirts. So, we had to pick the colors. Carol and Brian apparently love to tie-die, because the shirts she brought in were options they had made so we could vote on our favorites. It was super democratic (unlike the election procedure in the US, as Brian mentioned about 5 times) and we narrowed it down to a second elimination. Brian took this very seriously, and we were supposed to, so we did too. These shirts, he said, we would be wearing almost Every Tuesday This Semester and More, so we'd have to like the colors. Finally, after maybe 10 minutes of discussing our options and why we liked each shirt, we decided on a nice option that is cobalt blue, turquois and yellow.
Can you believe that? All the while I was participating part of my mind was in disbelief that such a simple decision as colors for tie-die could be so important and take as much time as it did. Makes me smile. This is who I work for!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Currently Reading
Life of Pi
By Yann Martel
Man, I don't know what the deal is... perhaps my writing has become more witty, perhaps I am writing about subjects that are more applicable to my general reading public, or perhaps I'm in a happy mood... in any case, it rocks getting so many comments, so thanks:)
Went to Late Night at Lory Student Center tonight. Unlike KU, CSU does not have any sort of arrangement with a beverage company, so there were no free drinks to horde. Also, not so much free stuff being given out. The only free stuff I could find worth anything were henna tattoos (looooonnnngggg line), glow in the dark necklaces and make your own whiteboard (the last two were done by the Alumni Association, go figure).
I'm so excited to start! I went by the NRRT (Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism) office today to find out how to get a key to my office, and while there stopped by to say high to my advisor. His name is Stu, he's a cute guy somewhere in his 40s... kinda what you might consider 'cool dad' cute if he were a dad. He dates someone from Estonia who is coming to CSU for graduate study and at one point he was looking at elementary schools for her 12 year old daughter. Top that off with the fact that he's partly bald and the fact that he really wanted me to take his Ecotourism class but never actually asked me to take it! That's the 'cute' my advisor is.
Anyways. Late Night to me conjures up images of Roy Williams, Bill Self, or bad sorority skits... not lazer tag or a Halo Competition in the Student Center at CSU.
It's strange how you can grow accustomed to names for certain items. I grew up here, so I was used to a 'student center' being called the student center. Attending KU I had to get used to calling the 'student center' a Union. Now I'm calling Lory Student Center the Union and confusing everyone, especially myself!
Oh, the best part about the Late Night here was something KU has never done at UnionFest. Apartment Life had a tea display and were giving out cups of tea and baklava. :)
Oooh, an ecotourism class sounds fascinating!
Posted 8/21/2005 11:32 AM by blu_enigma
Life of Pi
By Yann Martel
Man, I don't know what the deal is... perhaps my writing has become more witty, perhaps I am writing about subjects that are more applicable to my general reading public, or perhaps I'm in a happy mood... in any case, it rocks getting so many comments, so thanks:)
Went to Late Night at Lory Student Center tonight. Unlike KU, CSU does not have any sort of arrangement with a beverage company, so there were no free drinks to horde. Also, not so much free stuff being given out. The only free stuff I could find worth anything were henna tattoos (looooonnnngggg line), glow in the dark necklaces and make your own whiteboard (the last two were done by the Alumni Association, go figure).
I'm so excited to start! I went by the NRRT (Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism) office today to find out how to get a key to my office, and while there stopped by to say high to my advisor. His name is Stu, he's a cute guy somewhere in his 40s... kinda what you might consider 'cool dad' cute if he were a dad. He dates someone from Estonia who is coming to CSU for graduate study and at one point he was looking at elementary schools for her 12 year old daughter. Top that off with the fact that he's partly bald and the fact that he really wanted me to take his Ecotourism class but never actually asked me to take it! That's the 'cute' my advisor is.
Anyways. Late Night to me conjures up images of Roy Williams, Bill Self, or bad sorority skits... not lazer tag or a Halo Competition in the Student Center at CSU.
It's strange how you can grow accustomed to names for certain items. I grew up here, so I was used to a 'student center' being called the student center. Attending KU I had to get used to calling the 'student center' a Union. Now I'm calling Lory Student Center the Union and confusing everyone, especially myself!
Oh, the best part about the Late Night here was something KU has never done at UnionFest. Apartment Life had a tea display and were giving out cups of tea and baklava. :)
Oooh, an ecotourism class sounds fascinating!
Posted 8/21/2005 11:32 AM by blu_enigma
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Currently Listening
Ice Caps: Peaks of Telluride
By Sam Bush
So today I mentioned to Brian that I love the dentist (having just been there). He said he'd never heard anyone say that before. Now, I know the lore is that dentists are hated and people just don't like to go there. Honestly, I am always so happy when I come out of there. My teeth are sparkling clean, no plaque, and every time I leave the dentist I know at least one part of me is perfect (even the dentist says so... though it isn't exactly true). So yes, I like going to the dentist. HA!
However, the last time I went to the doctors was forever ago...
The 'grad student/faculty retreat' tonight was really really good. It is a smallish department and everyone I met and who talked seemed so nice. I don't think one professor DIDN'T say that their door is always open and to visit them. There are lots of us new students and being new forges bonds I've found. You guys would be so proud of me. I wasn't a wallflower! So, I'm excited. The only thing I'm worrying about now is the fact that I'm taking 13 credits and working 20+ hours a week at a very involved job. Everyone I've met tells me that 13 credits is a lot. So, we'll see how I do. I'm crazy busy most of the time anyways, so at least that won't be new.
Oh, and the crazy news of the day is that I now have two offices on campus. One from my department, and the one I mentioned yesterday. The graduate students in my program also now are gaining a Grad Student Lounge this year. I won't ever have to go home. I can sleep in the lounge and use the computers in the library. lol I guess that is the life of a grad student and often of professors.
all in all, a good day.
Mary told me this year is "the extroverting of Hannah". Maybe it's "the extroverting of Heather" too.
Posted 8/17/2005 8:26 PM by blu_enigma
I'm helping my sister move into her dorm room on Thursday. I'm moving back to Lawrence on Friday. On Tuesday, I'm flying to New Mexico for my orientation. I get back on Thursday, and I start on Friday. So yeah.
Posted 8/17/2005 10:23 PM by blu_enigma
I can't believe you're a grad student...it's so weird to think that a lot of my friends will be or are becoming grad students. Good luck!!Terri
Posted 8/18/2005 10:51 AM by BluesOn22s
I think you are sick for liking the dentist. Today I went to Watkins and asked if student health insurance covered dentists or eye doctors (I need to go to both), and they said no, neither. I told them that was okay, I will die at an early age with bad eyes and teeth because I was too poor as a student to afford dr. visits hehe Ben hasn't been to the dentist in 3 years! I know that's kinda gross, but we can't afford it and his parents couldn't afford it either. We also don't have life insurance, so don't kill us! hehe
Posted 8/18/2005 2:03 PM by steph421
I have no idea what the point of that little tidbit was, but I guess it was a "yay you're a grad student and you're destined to be poor another few years!" haha
Posted 8/18/2005 2:03 PM by steph421
Thanks, Heather! Good luck to you as well! Absolutely love the picture, btw!
Posted 8/19/2005 7:46 PM by uruka
Ice Caps: Peaks of Telluride
By Sam Bush
So today I mentioned to Brian that I love the dentist (having just been there). He said he'd never heard anyone say that before. Now, I know the lore is that dentists are hated and people just don't like to go there. Honestly, I am always so happy when I come out of there. My teeth are sparkling clean, no plaque, and every time I leave the dentist I know at least one part of me is perfect (even the dentist says so... though it isn't exactly true). So yes, I like going to the dentist. HA!
However, the last time I went to the doctors was forever ago...
The 'grad student/faculty retreat' tonight was really really good. It is a smallish department and everyone I met and who talked seemed so nice. I don't think one professor DIDN'T say that their door is always open and to visit them. There are lots of us new students and being new forges bonds I've found. You guys would be so proud of me. I wasn't a wallflower! So, I'm excited. The only thing I'm worrying about now is the fact that I'm taking 13 credits and working 20+ hours a week at a very involved job. Everyone I've met tells me that 13 credits is a lot. So, we'll see how I do. I'm crazy busy most of the time anyways, so at least that won't be new.
Oh, and the crazy news of the day is that I now have two offices on campus. One from my department, and the one I mentioned yesterday. The graduate students in my program also now are gaining a Grad Student Lounge this year. I won't ever have to go home. I can sleep in the lounge and use the computers in the library. lol I guess that is the life of a grad student and often of professors.
all in all, a good day.
Mary told me this year is "the extroverting of Hannah". Maybe it's "the extroverting of Heather" too.
Posted 8/17/2005 8:26 PM by blu_enigma
I'm helping my sister move into her dorm room on Thursday. I'm moving back to Lawrence on Friday. On Tuesday, I'm flying to New Mexico for my orientation. I get back on Thursday, and I start on Friday. So yeah.
Posted 8/17/2005 10:23 PM by blu_enigma
I can't believe you're a grad student...it's so weird to think that a lot of my friends will be or are becoming grad students. Good luck!!Terri
Posted 8/18/2005 10:51 AM by BluesOn22s
I think you are sick for liking the dentist. Today I went to Watkins and asked if student health insurance covered dentists or eye doctors (I need to go to both), and they said no, neither. I told them that was okay, I will die at an early age with bad eyes and teeth because I was too poor as a student to afford dr. visits hehe Ben hasn't been to the dentist in 3 years! I know that's kinda gross, but we can't afford it and his parents couldn't afford it either. We also don't have life insurance, so don't kill us! hehe
Posted 8/18/2005 2:03 PM by steph421
I have no idea what the point of that little tidbit was, but I guess it was a "yay you're a grad student and you're destined to be poor another few years!" haha
Posted 8/18/2005 2:03 PM by steph421
Thanks, Heather! Good luck to you as well! Absolutely love the picture, btw!
Posted 8/19/2005 7:46 PM by uruka
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Currently Reading
Cartoon Guide to Physics
By Larry Gonick, Art Huffman
The new job...
A nice environment. My own office with two computers. I can do pretty much anything with it as far as Brian has mentioned. He likes saying "We can do that... We're the Little Shop of Physics, we can do anything." It should be encouraging, but I have a feeling he's realizing I don't really know Final Cut Pro all that well (and I never told him I did). An annoying feeling. Kenn is nice, he's one of the other workers, kinda second in charge. He likes to walk around barefoot.
The other interns (3) arrive next week. I'll feel better then when there are other people around who haven't worked at the LSOP before. I can only hope that the other interns are also not all physics students, because that would make me a way minority, especially not liking physics in the first place. lol
But, I love the simple science they do, and the tv show (Everyday Science) is about science and basic scientific principles that I DO know (it would be worrysome if I didn't!).
You wouldn't think life was all that different just a few months out of school and on my own. I couldn't have believed the difference, and not just in daily activities. It seems like a shift in my mindset too. I feel more alone than before, and I also feel, well I guess kinda scared or intimidated. Fortunately I am continuing my education, but still the realization that I'll be working the rest of my life, and now for an actual REASON, is staggering. I guess all I can say is thank goodness for having people to talk to about it. So thanks Naomi, Jenny and Ryan. You guys make being a twentysomething easier.
Tomorrow: Dentist appt and a NRRT graduate student meeting and get to know you BBQ! I made the most amazing cake:)
Cartoon Guide to Physics
By Larry Gonick, Art Huffman
The new job...
A nice environment. My own office with two computers. I can do pretty much anything with it as far as Brian has mentioned. He likes saying "We can do that... We're the Little Shop of Physics, we can do anything." It should be encouraging, but I have a feeling he's realizing I don't really know Final Cut Pro all that well (and I never told him I did). An annoying feeling. Kenn is nice, he's one of the other workers, kinda second in charge. He likes to walk around barefoot.
The other interns (3) arrive next week. I'll feel better then when there are other people around who haven't worked at the LSOP before. I can only hope that the other interns are also not all physics students, because that would make me a way minority, especially not liking physics in the first place. lol
But, I love the simple science they do, and the tv show (Everyday Science) is about science and basic scientific principles that I DO know (it would be worrysome if I didn't!).
You wouldn't think life was all that different just a few months out of school and on my own. I couldn't have believed the difference, and not just in daily activities. It seems like a shift in my mindset too. I feel more alone than before, and I also feel, well I guess kinda scared or intimidated. Fortunately I am continuing my education, but still the realization that I'll be working the rest of my life, and now for an actual REASON, is staggering. I guess all I can say is thank goodness for having people to talk to about it. So thanks Naomi, Jenny and Ryan. You guys make being a twentysomething easier.
Tomorrow: Dentist appt and a NRRT graduate student meeting and get to know you BBQ! I made the most amazing cake:)
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Currently Listening
Lost and Gone Forever
By Guster
Whew. Well that's done, for the most part. I've moved in to the new place (shhhh, it's my parents' house!) and have managed to get at least my desk and computer and my internet connection all set up and established. At least one corner of my room is somewhat organized.
My last day at the library is tomorrow, and my first day at my new job is MONDAY!!!!!! YAY!
Lost and Gone Forever
By Guster
Whew. Well that's done, for the most part. I've moved in to the new place (shhhh, it's my parents' house!) and have managed to get at least my desk and computer and my internet connection all set up and established. At least one corner of my room is somewhat organized.
My last day at the library is tomorrow, and my first day at my new job is MONDAY!!!!!! YAY!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
So I'm moving into my old room and the terrible truth has been revealed. It was something I had managed to avoid all four years of college, but now I have to confront it again. I am a packrat. I horde, I save, I file. I am so upset, why do I have all this crap from high school? I start projects and never finish them, so I have tons of half finished projects stuffed up in my closet and my accumulated 'wealth' from college will not fit once I move it in.
I need to be like other people who don't horde and save stupid notes from a class in 9th grade. Any advice from those of you who are normal?
oh, and I am getting rid of more things than I can imagine I had. Finally I'm taking back the mess... but how do I avoid getting into the habit again?
uhg
Oh goodness, I am just now learning to not be a pack rat...though you wouldn't be able to to tell that from the closet in my room at my parents' house, LoL!
Posted 8/10/2005 8:43 PM by BluesOn22s
I am NOT normal because I keep everything, too!! I try to cut back, but it's soooo hard. I have lots of notes & letters from 7th grade even! haha oh well. just get lots of target cube storage space & shoe boxes :)
Posted 8/10/2005 9:33 PM by steph421
I need to be like other people who don't horde and save stupid notes from a class in 9th grade. Any advice from those of you who are normal?
oh, and I am getting rid of more things than I can imagine I had. Finally I'm taking back the mess... but how do I avoid getting into the habit again?
uhg
Oh goodness, I am just now learning to not be a pack rat...though you wouldn't be able to to tell that from the closet in my room at my parents' house, LoL!
Posted 8/10/2005 8:43 PM by BluesOn22s
I am NOT normal because I keep everything, too!! I try to cut back, but it's soooo hard. I have lots of notes & letters from 7th grade even! haha oh well. just get lots of target cube storage space & shoe boxes :)
Posted 8/10/2005 9:33 PM by steph421
Saturday, August 06, 2005
I had my first training and it went well. The teaching experience helped for sure. It was intimidating but luckily my co-trainer was really great and is very experienced! She's been to Edith Macy center in New York!
I'm moving out this week :( boo. It's sad, because we've been getting along great and have a new neighbor who's a meteorology grad student from Nebraska. But, that is life for sure.
Time to go to bed!
I'm moving out this week :( boo. It's sad, because we've been getting along great and have a new neighbor who's a meteorology grad student from Nebraska. But, that is life for sure.
Time to go to bed!
Monday, August 01, 2005
Currently Listening
Shakira: MTV Unplugged
By Shakira
You know, I'm actually starting to realize how neat it is to have friends all over the country and the world! I know I can now go visit people in Kansas, Missouri, Texas (way too many friends in Texas... lol), North Carolina, France etc... I'm sure there are more... I just can't think of them right now. So friends of mine, you are experiencing a slightly changed Heather, one who is looking forward to the future full of new friends and visiting old ones, much more so than looking backwards (what a difference!).
Otherwise today and tomorrow I'll be buying my textbooks (maybe) and getting my PC application done (stupid essays!).
20 days till school starts!!
oh, and I finally met one of the other graduate students my advisor will be advising. She's kinda new -she's completed a semester- and is much (how much?) older than I. She's nice and so accomplished (did the Americorps and Peace Corps already) but has a very different perspective on CO than I do. She's from Oregon... imagine me in Kansas wondering why people are so backwards environmentally... she thinks that of Coloradoans!
Shakira: MTV Unplugged
By Shakira
You know, I'm actually starting to realize how neat it is to have friends all over the country and the world! I know I can now go visit people in Kansas, Missouri, Texas (way too many friends in Texas... lol), North Carolina, France etc... I'm sure there are more... I just can't think of them right now. So friends of mine, you are experiencing a slightly changed Heather, one who is looking forward to the future full of new friends and visiting old ones, much more so than looking backwards (what a difference!).
Otherwise today and tomorrow I'll be buying my textbooks (maybe) and getting my PC application done (stupid essays!).
20 days till school starts!!
oh, and I finally met one of the other graduate students my advisor will be advising. She's kinda new -she's completed a semester- and is much (how much?) older than I. She's nice and so accomplished (did the Americorps and Peace Corps already) but has a very different perspective on CO than I do. She's from Oregon... imagine me in Kansas wondering why people are so backwards environmentally... she thinks that of Coloradoans!
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