Happy 2013!

Wow, it has been a long time since I last posted. Over a year! It’s time to start back up again. A lot has happened in the past year. First, I am no longer in school. I graduated last August with an Environmental Science degree. The last 2 semesters were a challenge, hence the stopped blogging. It’s all done now! J I interned with the DNR again last summer as a Watercraft Inspector Lead. It was fun, but not quite as fun as the summer before. The state added decon units, which meant more employees. No more solitary reading during every shift, which was okay sometimes but not all the time. Also, my supervisor was new, so my co-workers looked to me with questions. It didn’t go over very well with my sup. It’s all over now though, and I have a different job with the DNR this summer! Starting at the end of this month, I will be a State Park Naturalist. I am so excited! I have a 3 day training with naturalists all across the state, and then another 4 day training with my co-workers at the park. Park of my responsibility this summer will consist of cave tours. I am so excited!!
 
Second, I traveled to Ireland over Spring Break last March. Yes, I was in Dublin for St. Paddy’s Day, and it was amazing! For 9 days, I traveled all over Ireland with my friend Bubbles and about 65 other travelers from the US. Starting in Shannon, we made our way through County Kerry, County Cork, Dublin, Galway, and back to Shannon. Some of the attractions we saw include: Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Bog Village, Blarney Castle, Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse, the Leprechaun Museum, Dublin Zoo, and Aran Islands. It was definitely an experience I will never forget! I’ll be traveling again in June for a wedding. One of my best friends from high school is getting married in South Korea. I’m so excited to travel there for the wedding with his family. It will be my first time traveling to Asia, as well as my first time traveling not in a tour guide led group.
 
Third, let’s back track a little bit with some New Year Resolutions for 2013. After reflecting on my 2012 resolutions, I could have done a lot better. I was hoping to set aside at least 1 day every month as a personal day for crafting, relaxing, or a combo. That happened for the first few months. Once I started working full time in May, personal days did not happen very much. I am hoping to continue setting aside the time this year. It’s a great way to distress. I did well with my second resolution of eating more fruits and veggies. I’ve learned to eat and like a lot of different ones than I never used to like (carrots, kiwi, grapefruit, cucumbers). Maybe the list will continue this year! The last resolution was learning how to sew. This did not happen last year, but it will this year. My number one resolution for 2013 is to learn how to sew. My list on pinterest keeps growing, so I have a lot of fun stuff to create. Now I just need the time! My second resolution is to eat more natural and organic foods, especially fruits and veggies and grass-fed, hormone-free meats. Cheers to a new year! (even if it’s April and not January)