I'm an introvert who loves to find a quiet place to read, or a lonely hiking trail where I can just relax and observe the natural world. I love growing plants, though it's difficult when you live in the desert. I enjoy kitchen chemistry - cooking, soapmaking, and extracting essential oils. I'm a teacher and PhD student in Curriculum & Instruction, so I'm always interested in learning and discovering how others learn. My first degree was in history, so I'm also curious about the past and how people lived.