For the time being, I am sitting in the Eugene airport, watching the friends I made leave one by one, and reminiscing on my time at OIMB. This summer was all about living in the now and working towards my future, all while paying homage to my past. If you would’ve shown me three years ago the place I’m at right now, I would’ve fallen over. At the time, I had just lost my dad to a two and a half year long battle with cancer. I was left with no direction, aim, or hope for my future. I was lost. In the two years that followed, I did everything I could to find myself again. I spent so long wondering what, if anything, would make me truly happy to be alive. After countless talks with myself and the friends around me, I ultimately decided to follow my heart and study to become a marine biologist. I was terrified to go back to school but promised myself that I would try my best and promised my dad that I would succeed in that. I am so proud of and grateful to that brave, heartbroken girl! This last week, I have been reminded of the privilege that this internship was for me. I am forever grateful to Craig, Lauren, and Caitlin for mentoring me. They taught me what it means to be a deep sea biologist. I will always look back at my time with them with nothing but affection and appreciation in my heart. I am also in awe of our cohort and how inspiring and cool everyone was. It was such a pleasure to get to know each persons individual personalities and learn from them. The good times we had are what got me through tough lab days. I look forward to seeing them again one day :-) For this time being, I’m not sure where I’m headed, but I know exactly where I am now.
I am an aspiring deep sea biologist with a special love for all creatures weird and unusual. I am a girl who gave herself a second chance. I am happy to be here, now. My world has shifted and my heart is full. Thank you for following along through my various ups and downs! I’ve really enjoyed posting weekly and sharing my little thoughts. If you have any questions or just want to reach out talk, please email me [email protected] Friends, family, and fellow nerds, over and out!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorHi, I’m Tara and I’m a marine biology student at the University of the Virgin Islands. This summer, I will be studying under Dr. Craig Young on a deep sea species of snail. I will be focusing on the reproductive ultrastructure of Ifremeria nautilei . I’m particularly interested in deep sea hydrothermal vent invertebrates and other life in extreme environments. Recently, research on these environments has been used in the search for extraterrestrial life in our solar system. (How cool is that?!) When I’m not in class, I am working at my university’s mangrove restoration lab as an intern, or assisting in the science 100 class as a peer instructor. Outside of academics, you can find me at the beach with a book in my hands surrounded by my friends. ArchivesCategories |