Reid Park Zoo, Again...

In my biological anthropology class we are learning how to study primates. In order to get hands-on experience, we were sent to the local zoo to observe either the macaques, the mandrills, or the gibbons. My friend and lab partner, Jenna, and I chose the gibbons and had a glorious time running around the zoo like little kids with expensive cameras. Below are just a few pics we shot while there!
Today my professor asked if any of us would be interesting in volunteering to design some new signage for the zoo since they are sorely lacking in relevant and current educational materials. I am seriously considering it! Our zoo looks more like a rest home for unwanted animals instead of the sanctuary and educational haven that it should be. To be a part of that change sounds very rewarding...

Star Party

I am taking Cultural Astronomy this semester. Last night our class was required to meet our professor at Saguaro National Monument: West to take a constellation exam. My sister joined me and we had a blast! Members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association were there with a myriad of telescopes and devices to help in learning and discovering. Specifically, we met an elderly couple, Sam and PJ, who took us under their wing and showed us all the night sky had to offer. I can't thank them enough for making a required exam to much fun!

These are cellphone pictures we took before the sun went down (I wish I had brought a real camera):

More Liam Pictures

Liam: 12 Days Old

Hubby and I went to Phoenix yesterday to visit Liam at the Phoenix Children's Hospital. B & C were staying at the Ronald McDonald house right next door to the hospital so that Liam could be fed at regular intervals. We arrived just in time for Liam's release with a clean bill of health! We spent a couple of hours with the new parents and their adorable baby boy. He is cute as a button!!

The Hurt Locker

Hubby purchased the multiple-Oscar nominated film "The Hurt Locker" on blu-ray Friday night. I have been anticipating this movie since it came out in theaters and I am happy to report that it is amazing!

The back of the box states:

"War is a drug. Nobody knows that better than Staff Sergeant James, head of an elite squad of soldiers tasked with disarming bombs in the heat of combat. To do this nerve-shattering job, it's not enough to be the best, you have to thrive in a zone where the margin of error is zero, think as diabolically as a bomb-maker, and somehow survive with your body and soul intact."

This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire 130 minutes and is thought provoking in ways that movies aren't these days. It will resonate with you hours and even days after you have watched it. Kathryn Bigelow, the director, made one of the best war movies I have ever seen.

If it isn't already obvious, you should see this film!!

Liam: Update

Talked to B last night and Liam has not been released from the hospital, in fact he and mom were flown from Kingman to Phoenix yesterday to see a specialist (dad followed in the truck). Apparently little man has some problems with his breathing (apnea) and the medication has only gotten him so far. He will be in the hospital another week in Phoenix and we are hoping to make a trip up to see B & C and meet the newest addition.

True Friendship Promises

I got these "friendship promises" in my email from my sister and they made me laugh out loud...

1. When you are sad,

I will jump on the person

who made you sad

like a spider monkey

jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!

2. When you are blue,

I will try to dislodge

whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile,

I will know you are

plotting something

that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared,

we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried,

I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse

it could be until you

quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused,

I will use little words.

7. When you are sick,

Stay away from me

until you are well again.

I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall,

I'll pick you up

and dust you off

After I laugh my rear off!!

Liam's First Picture

Update!!

I talked to Christine this evening and she has officially been released from the hospital however she has not returned home yet. Little Liam will be in the hospital at least until Sunday night, so in the meantime they have set Christine up with a complimentary room where she can relax and feed her son when he needs it. The doctor says Liam is reacting well to the medication and the extended stay is merely a precaution.

Special Delivery!

Liam Paul Hudson was born last night (7 days late) at 11:04pm. He is 8 lbs, 4 oz. 21 inches long. Both Christine and Liam are doing great.

Will update with more information when I get it!

UPDATE!!

Bruce called this evening with more information. Christine is doing great and is being released from the hospital tomorrow. Liam is also doing well but will probably be in the hospital until Friday or 10 days at the most. Unfortunately, he experienced a bowel movement while still in the womb and now has an infection which is being treated by an IV of antibiotics. Bruce said he is very cute but is having difficulty deciding who he looks like. Family is in town to help with the first couple of weeks and both Bruce and Christine are over the moon about their new baby boy!

Have You Seen My Country Lately?

Wednesday night Hubby and I attended the book signing of my favorite radio talk show host, Jerry Doyle. As mentioned before, Jerry also starred in one of our favorite television series of all time, Babylon 5, so this book signing was doubly awesome!

We arrived about 45 minutes early and secured a "gold ticket" which entitled us to get our book signed in the first wave of fans. I briefly got to speak to Jerry and Hubby shook his hand. Both of us were excited and happy that he was gracious and kind. All too often celebrities never live up to the expectations you create in your mind. For me, he exceeded them and more!

Conan O'Brien

The interwebs are all abuzz today as news that Jay Leno may replace Conan O'Brien in his current (10:30) time slot and may retake the title of The Tonight Show host.

Really? Are you serious? Leno, again? Give me a break!

Leno wasn't funny 5 years ago and he isn't funny now. Go ahead NBC, get rid of Conan and prepare for the backlash because Leno's old program was crappy, his current program stinks and so will his "new" one. Also, I beg you NBC executives please, please put more Dateline and repeats of Law & Order on to fill air time since you haven't beaten that horse to death!

Fear not Conan, I and millions of others will watch you no matter what time or network (Fox) you are on. NBC is in fourth place for a reason, they're idiots!

Winter Vacation

Winter vacation is ending much like it began, with me sick in bed.

Finals week I was sick with the stomach flu but made it through thanks to my doctor who graciously got me in his office on short notice and prescribed a cocktail of medications. I was well by Christmas and had very quiet and enjoyable holiday. A few days after Christmas we made the jaunt to Kingman for Grandma Eileen's 90th birthday. We stayed with Bruce and a very pregnant Christine for four days where Hubby came down with a terrible flu. He was so sick, in fact, that I drove the entire distance from Kingman to Tucson all by myself for the first time! As soon as we got home I began feeling the effects of his illness and for almost a week now I have been suffering from one of the worst flues I can remember. School starts in a little under a week and I did not achieve a fraction of the items on my to-do list. Oh well, I guess that is what Spring Break is for.

This picture was taken while driving through the Joshua Tree National Park. I just liked the way the light looked on the clouds and mountains.

Prepare yourself for the most awesome dinner of all time! Bruce saw this concoction on Man Vs. Food and it was amazing! A bacon cheeseburger served on a glazed donut. Sensitive digestive systems beware!

9 months pregnant, Christine was still feeling great and sleeping well. Her belly was much bigger than this by the time we left Kingman. Baby Boy is due any day!

Bruce and Lily sleeping on New Years Eve.

Final Grades

One of my professors screwed up hard and didn't post our grades until just a few days ago. I wanted to wait for all of the grades before I posted them here:

*drum roll*

Cultural Anthropology A
Linguistic Anthropology A
Ecology A
Organic Chemistry D

I finally have gotten my GPA above a 3.0!!! I have never been so happy to get a D in all my life, nor have I ever worked so hard. I am so relieved to be able to put organic chemistry behind me and focus on the classes that I am really excited about.

Spring semester classes include:

Cultural Astronomy
Biological Anthropology
Archaeological Analysis
Evolutionary Biology