My family at
a New Year's Eve Party.Tamara Veenstra
Personal Info
Update: Jason and I just got married on January 3rd, 2008 here in Redlands. There are a few pictures here. Someday soon I'll update the rest of the page.
Geographical Background
I was born in Grand Rapids, MI but moved to Wingate (pronounced 'wing-git' there),
NC when I was about 8. About 10 years later, I left Wingate for the college
life at UNC-Chapel Hill (go heels!). Then I moved about as far north as I could
for graduate school at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. After 5
years of long, cold winters, I tried to escape to warmer climes but only made
it to Cedar Falls, IA to teach at the University of Northern Iowa. After 4 more
years of long, cold winters and too much corn, I did escape to warmer climes
by going about as far west as I could to arrive in southern California. I have
been teaching at the University of Redlands since 2001, and am quite content
enjoying vast quantities of sunshine and warm weather (and, of course, engaging
students with the fascinating topic of mathematics).
Family Background
My family at
a New Year's Eve Party.
My family appears to be operating under the theory that 1 PhD per family is just not enough. My dad, Larry, is a (mostly) retired professor of psychology. We might even be operating under the theory that 2 PhD's are not enough, as my sister, Shel, is currently in graduate school in English Literature at Michigan State. My mom, Dianne, so far, has avoided any desire to have a PhD. She is a (mostly) retired medical technologist. My mom and dad (Dianne and Larry) still live in Wingate, NC. My grandma and most of my other extended family is still in Grand Rapids, MI where many good Dutch folk are (both sides of my family have Dutch roots), but I have one cousin, Carrie, who managed to escape to southern California as well so I have a bit of family out here with me.
Me, my sister,
Shel, and my cousin Carrie.
Jason and I are recently engaged and we are currently working on planning the wedding.
Jason and I
on a trip to Hawaii.
I also have two fabulous kitties that help me get me work done (by laying on top of it).
Though usually they don't work so hard.
Some spare time activities
When I'm not doing mathematics or working on my house (pictures to come) I might
be found playing poker, dancing, biking, shopping, playing my flute, swimming,
or quilting. This summer Jason and I have done quite
a bit of traveling and here are some photos: