Portland, Oregon

How damn gorgeous is this city? I love Portland, Oregon. No really. I mean I LOVE Portland, Oregon. I love Oregon like Juliet loved Romeo.

It has been a while since I have written. No excuse, except a worthless summer fling that I have since whole heartedly ended (what took me so long?), and a worthy excuse on the other end, travel. I have been up and down California and Oregon, this summer. I caught the Catfish Hunter of Rainbow trout, shot at a log with a 44 magnum, and hiked the giant sequoias. I painted cardboard with my best friends and then danced in the living room. It has been rejuvinating. Good people, good places, good vibes. Portland, for me, contains all of these carried to the exponential.

I am currently in grad school at UCSD getting my master's in ecology. My love for ecology has opened many doors for me, and one of those, is my passion for genetics. I should have known both of these fields were passions in me at a young age. In the 5th grade I won first place at the science fair for a project entitled "Why my eyes are blue?" In the 8th grade I won first place for my research on the evolution of the mink from the beginning of time. And I thought I wanted to be a journalist?

The reason for my digression on my love for genetics--> Once I complete my masters on sea turtle genetics, I can attend Portland State studying ecological genetics, and finally make Portland my home. Once I get my PhD, I can get a job at OHSU, studying genetics. It won't be ecological genetics, but it will be genetics, and I will be in Portland, and I will continue my outdoor lifestyle to replace the position of ecology in my life.

It doesn't mean I won't still whole-heartedly believe in conservation. I will always hold environmentalism close to my heart. But I have to follow my bliss. And my bliss says, ONWARD TO PORTLAND!

If you have never been to Portland, I highly suggest you visit. The streets pulsate with urban creativity. The trees shake with the intake of oregon rain. The bridges hum in tune with the columbia river. All this, with Mt. Hood sitting majestically in the background.

As long as it doesn't mean a step backwards in my career, I want to go to Portland. Even if it means a slight change in my career. I applied as a job working for the National Forest Service as a historian, for example. Pays well, requires travel, involves primary research, and has promotional potential. I am keeping my options open, but like I said, my bliss is whispering in my ear, "Go to the Rose City...."