The (Perfect) Hour

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

From the time I was very little I wanted to be a marine biologist. At times I dreamt of swimming with the dolphins and sea turtles far from land. Other times I imagined spending my days at Sea World training Shamu (my perspective on that has since evolved).

I just knew I was going to be a biologist. There was simply no doubt. What did take some time to determine, however, was what kind of biologist I wanted to be. I was quite interested in human medicine, but really solidified my goals in my late twenties.

Here I am, three months away from graduation, and I still have moments of doubt. I would never want to get through grad school only to discover that my heart was elsewhere. Can I practice medicine weekdays, microbiology in the evening and marine biology on the weekend?

One thing I know for sure is that I love how tiny the functioning world is. Did you know we have more microbe DNA in our bodies than human DNA? It is a beautiful, fascinating world.

If you're still hanging around this rather nerdy post, we must be kindred spirits. And I do have a point. I often get caught up in the requirements of my degree (and the humdrum of the subjects I do not favor) and forget why I love this field so much. 

I needed to re-stain and view a sample of 'my pets', as my microbiology professor so aptly calls them, so I went into the lab early last Friday morning after dropping Kiddo off at school. The biology floor was a ghost town. I decided to bring my camera with me and started shooting the process. It was such a zen hour. I could have stayed there all day.

Do you ever have those moments where you realize you are doing exactly what you should be doing? It is an amazing feeling that is often fleeting. I'm so glad I caught it. Here's to those perfect seconds that remind us who we are and reaffirm that we have chosen the right path...

Forgive the bags...it was early.
Looking through the lens (the red dots are bacteria)

My 'pets'.


A view from the top.
Grow my little friends.


8 comments :

  1. I think what you are doing is amazing! You will get to have so many cool experiences. :)

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    1. Thanks Jen! It hasn't been easy, but the day I get that diploma all the struggles will have been worth it.

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  2. Haha "my pets". And when I was little my dad wanted me to be a marine biologist. I was all game for the playing with Shamu bit until I grew up and realized it entailed a whole heck of a lot more than that haha

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    1. I think it's great that she calls them our pets. And yes, 'training' Shamu is not what it seems like when you're six. :)

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  3. Fascinating look into your other world and good for you finding peace in your choice of profession. When I went off to college my choices were for all the wrong reasons and though it took years to figure that out, I have found happiness in different career turns along the way.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that! I took the non-traditional route but it has made all the difference. Finding fulfillment is worth all the hours spent climbing to the top.

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  4. Your pipettes are cute!!

    BTW, I'm hosting a giveaway for HQCD. You could win a pair of pear drop earrings and your choice of handmade lip balm. Check it out!

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  5. I think it's really great that you have found your "place"!

    I chose my major for the wrong reasons and now I'm trying to find a way to get off this current career path and onto something that makes me happier. I like where I'm working, don't love my job (most days I don't hate it either), like my co-workers- but am positive I'd have more satisfaction and joy doing something else.

    Fun fact? I wanted to major in microbiology but quickly realized I wasn't cut out for science labs.

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