I was born and raised in Boulder. I did not originally intend to attend CU, however, after freshman year it was impossible to leave it because of the love/hate relationship I developed with the college. I loved my friends but hated the over-populated lecture halls. As time went on, I bonded with a professor whom was my neighbor growing up. He encouraged me and helped me get into a Mayan anthropology class taught by him.

After taking this class and becoming connected to a small community of anthropology lovers, I knew this is where I belonged for three more years. However, as graduation day approached, I was itching to move out of my hometown to a city - so I took a giant step to move to the Big Apple. My junior and senior year, I realized that CU is what you make out of it. It is hard and overwhelming to be an insignificant number at such a large school.

I will never forget the fantastic spring afternoons of freshman year spent on Farrand Field and dealing with the consequence of academic probation. Because I have met the most amazing people and still share strong relationships with them, I will never lose the memory of attending CU.

I loved CU the moment I stepped onto the campus. There was a huge snowstorm when we came to visit, classes were cancelled and so was our tour. I was wearing clogs (this was back in 2002 when wearing clogs was an exceptional fashion statement, they were from J. Crew and they were gray with a little bit of a platform on them - God, I loved those shoes. Anyhoo...) and my mom absolutely hated the place, which is probably why I loved it so much! But when I came back for my first year, and would walk across the quad and see the huge Flatirons, it was just amazing, especially for a girl from the Midwest.

Boulder and CU just grew on me almost to a point where I was afraid to leave - in case I missed some great night out with my roomies at a party or at the bars - or in case I missed some great snow up in the mountains. I have managed to tear myself away, but I still compare many things to my four years at CU and can't wait for my next visit to Boulder.

ESCALADE ESCAPADES
By Michele Lingbeck

Greetings, fellow Buffs! In 1993, I left CU and Boulder with a head full of bright ideas and a heart full of Buff pride. After a few years of waiting tables and some world travel, I completed my MA in curriculum and instruction from CU-Denver. I had a few memorable and intense years teaching social studies in various middle and high schools in the metro area before settling down as a stay-at-home mom in Broomfield.

These days I find myself at the mall, the gym and mostly in my car driving groups of kids here and there. While I do have many smart and educated stay-at-home friends, what I miss most about life at CU, besides the obvious wild nights on The Hill, is the intellectual stimulation of life as a student. These days, when I need a little history and culture, I sneak away with a good book to a quiet spot in my home. Reading has become my escape from the hectic life as a mom and wife.

My blog, Escalade Escapades, will focus on great (but not too intellectual) reads. I tend to read books with a little history, a little sex and a whole lot of drama. Some days (and weeks), I can't find time to read more than my Every Day with Rachael Ray mag, so at times I may have to share stories of the crazy adventures that Broomfield (its true!) offers me.

ARTIST OXYMORON
By Sally Widdowson

First, I have always actively loved the arts. I grew up on the shore of Maryland, thus the ocean is home to me. I went to a buttoned-up Southern boarding school at age 14. Desperate to set free, I fell in love with CU. I spent four years in the art school (the old engineering building - for those of you who don't know, they have torn it down and are building a new art school. Bum. But promising).

My professors Jerry Kunkel, Kay Miller, and Sally Elliott inspired and encouraged me. My final shebang at CU was my BFA exhibition. My piece "Environment on Canvas" was just that. I hand built about 60 10" x 10" canvases and strategically set them for durations of time in socially, environmentally and politically charged places.

After periods of time, the canvases naturally altered and finally 44 were hung together, unified, creating a grand statement of humanity's relationship to the environment. I plan to continue this work in NYC. Currently, I am enjoying painting with various traditional medium.

TEACHING TALES
By Kaitlin Schroeder

Hi all! I graduated from CU-Boulder in 2006 with a fine arts degree. For anyone who has this major, you are having the MOST fun at CU!

I loved, loved, loved painting every day and being surrounded by artistic individuals! I am now student teaching and I incorporate my art background any chance I can. For instance, just the other week we decided to paint our classroom windows to make them look like portholes for our pirate unit. Of course I've now made a niche for myself as the artist slave of the class.

I'm positive I get asked at least three times a day to draw something for my kids. But the children are so forgiving and even if I make a quick sketch they think it's amazing. I plan on sharing some advice, some funny quotes and just thoughts of life as an educator!

ERIN'S CUP OF KARMA
By Erin Feese

Hey there, fellow fearless females! Just a little about me: I grew up in Littleton and spent my freshman year of college at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where there are plenty of cornfields, but no mountains.

So I transferred to CU, and I loved living in Boulder. It's one of those places that you just have to experience. Things I miss about CU-Boulder are classes (believe it or not!), Phi Sigma Pi (honors fraternity I was involved with), football games, paninis at the Alferd Packer Grill and random protests.

There was always someone protesting something, so at least that made it easy when the journalism teachers told you, "Go find a story! Have fun." And I miss being in a place where there are recycling bins everywhere you go. Through my work with YourHub.com and journalism in general, I have met so many inspiring people doing great things for their communities. Letting people know about these efforts is what makes journalism rewarding for me!

I'm interested in learning about the easy lifestyle changes people can make to be more environmentally friendly. I know it's a trendy thing right now, but I also think it just feels good to recycle!

Are you a CU grad gal who is kicking a$$? If you'd like to start contributing to the CU Grad Gab, e-mail horvatb@yourhub.com.
Visit the CU Grad Gab page.