Pythons and Bearded Dragons

Above you will see a map of the main campus where I live.

Well, another week has gone by and I am still in love with my job. I know that the end of my experience last year I was disenchanted for many reasons—but now I know that I do in fact love teaching outside. There is something truly magical about watching the “trouble students” shine brighter than they ever could under fluorescent lighting.

I cannot wait until I am trained in on all the classes here and I can begin to give them all my own unique spin. I am not sure that this job will change the world, but I think it has the potential. I am already changing. Getting hugs from students who hiked further than they ever had before. Smirks as they dunk their hands deep into murky water looking for macro invertebrates. How is that not magic? How can I not smile? How can I not be making a difference?

I have started to spend more time in our nature center here where I can hang out and hold the many animals that also call this place home. This afternoon I held one of our ball pythons for awhile. I have never had a fear of snakes, but with each passing day I do feel myself more at ease when he wraps tightly around my arm. The snakes and reptiles in our nature center are family to us.

I have started to look for summer jobs. I think I’ll return her next fall—which means I need something from June-the end of August. I have been thinking Alaska, but also applied to a job in Maryland yesterday. I’ve already heard back from that job, at a Girl Scout camp, being a nature manager. I’d not only train people and develop curriculum (yay for admin. Experience) but also spend a fair amount of time outside. There are still many details I need to find out, but they want to schedule an interview for the beginning of February. Not having reliable internet could make the Skype component of it difficult, but hopefully it all works out.

For the rest of the day I am going to run, play basketball, read, and hopefully write. I need to get ready for the poetry slam I found out about on Wednesday.

Take care everyone, and send me a letter. I love getting them!

-AZ