The Christmas, before high school graduation, my family went
with my mother's sister's family to Germany to visit our cousin. Several years before, she had married a Canadian hokey player and moved to Germany, while he played for various hokey teams. As the 17 of use discussed Christmas Eve plans (the next day) we decided we would play secret Santa with a few twists. The next day we went to the Christmas market in Colon Germany, home of the famous Gothic Cathedral that miraculously survived the bombings of WWII. Once we made it to the market everyone scattered to find a small gift
for our secret Santa that would be a great German souvenir under $15. When we got back to the house we had 10 minutes to wrap our gifts in random household items. Oh, the loughs... from both rushing around, finding things to wrap the gifts, and from opening an emptied coke can wrapped in toilet paper were all more than memorable. When everything was placed under the tree we sat in a circle we played the game and one by one unwrapped the funny things our cousins, aunts, and uncles had picked for us.
At the very end (there were 17 of us), my mom said "Kalli there is one more for you." I took the present and inside I found a handmade card that said "You're a Horn Frog!" on the front and all the congratulations of my family members written inside. It was the best present I have ever received. I was so overwhelmed with thankfulness I went outside in the snow and looked up at the sky and cried for ten minutes thanking God for giving me this opportunity to do what neither of my parents had the chance to do.
At the very end (there were 17 of us), my mom said "Kalli there is one more for you." I took the present and inside I found a handmade card that said "You're a Horn Frog!" on the front and all the congratulations of my family members written inside. It was the best present I have ever received. I was so overwhelmed with thankfulness I went outside in the snow and looked up at the sky and cried for ten minutes thanking God for giving me this opportunity to do what neither of my parents had the chance to do.
I went to Texas Christian University, and after a rocky
start, I finally found my passion when I sat down for my geography class
sophomore year. Within the first couple
of minutes, I realized, "I can do this!" From that moment I set eyes
on an academic career in geography. After graduation, I attended CSU, Long
Beach for my Masters in Geography. I fell in love with the department,
students, professors, and of course, Long Beach. The two years I spent there
changed my life in more than one way, and touched every part of who I am.
For my first year back in Texas I was fortunate enough to
teach World Regional Geography at Texas Christian University. It was an incredible
year and I cannot wait to teach again. May 2012 was a big month for me, from
moving to Austin to getting married!
Fall 2013, I started the PhD program at the Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Texas at Austin. My research interests are focused on local community conservation and forest restoration efforts in the fight to keep the last 3,200 tigers from extinction. In particular, I am interested in how community leaders influence local attitudes towards protected areas, conservation, forest restoration and activities like community forestry and local action against poaching or illegal settlers. Visit my research website to learn more about my travels through India doing field work.
Fall 2013, I started the PhD program at the Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Texas at Austin. My research interests are focused on local community conservation and forest restoration efforts in the fight to keep the last 3,200 tigers from extinction. In particular, I am interested in how community leaders influence local attitudes towards protected areas, conservation, forest restoration and activities like community forestry and local action against poaching or illegal settlers. Visit my research website to learn more about my travels through India doing field work.
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