At the start of this summer I was hesistant. I was afraid that I had made a wrong decision in botching my chance at an on-campus internship in the biochemistry lab doing a protein and behavioral study on captive grey wolves. This was an internship that streched into the semesters and would include presentations and papers and the start to a publishing science career, as well as paying over the summer a decent amount of 10 weeks of 40+ hour weeks.

I botched the chance because I admitted that lab work doesn't excite me that much. I can do it, I will do it, but microscopes give me headaches and I just can't stay inside all day.

I only hoped that trusting my heart in my desire to do something that isn't lab work was right.

Instead I went to WildWings, a nonprofit, entire donation and volunteer help run shelter for injured birds of prey. I didn't even get a call back unil a month into the summer. I liked raptors, but I've never been a bird person. At the same time, I signed up with a temp agency, finally learning to network through my Dad.

As I finish the summer out, I realize I had one of the best summers I have had in a long time. It was relaxing, it was spontaneous, and it was productive. I made more money than I did last year at DunkinDonuts, and about as much as I would have with the internship, without having to work everyday. I finally splurged, and bought myself a PS2 and some games, and went to see Jess in Florida, which was the best trip ever. I also learned a lot about offices and the working world, as well as began a connection with a temp agency and a handful of businesses tha absolutely adored me. Hell, I had a job offer for next summer if they need anyone.

I also have come to love the birds at WildWings. Each one is such a distinct character, and I adore working with htem. I even got to put on a glove and handle a red tailed hawk, and pet and cuddle with a bobcat. I got to talk to the public about animals and answer questions and entertain little kids that like animals. It's such a great place.

Now I'm putting together things for the year and hoping to bring WildWings to campus with the Biology club, and wondering how I could do a research project for an independent study on campus with raptors. I've confirmed that conservation education is what I like doing. It boils down to talking to people about the things I love - animals and science.

Maybe the internship would have looked nicer in a full on science field, or for a PhD, but I don't care. I have two things to add on to my resume, a bunch of people that like me, and a bunch of new experience. I even got to visit my friend and remember that I have two kick ass friends.

Now I just need to pack up and get back to campus, there's lots to do. I have new books to read through too - Voltaire's "Candide" and Sun Tzu's "Art of War" as well as "Evolution: Triumph of an idea" by Carl Zimmer.

Lots to do, lots to think, lots to learn. That's the way life should be.