Week 5:
A Rainy Week

July 10, 2020

This week at work looked pretty similar to last week: following the tidal schedule to collect samples at high and low tides most days. We did add on two new sampling locations for a couple days, mainly out of curiosity, so it was fun to see some new areas while collecting these samples. Lindsey and I have made good improvements on our filtering though, finding a rhythm and getting more comfortable going through the process. In fact, we were able to cut down our time spent filtering from over an hour to just about half an hour. If we’re not doing anything else in our time between samples, we like to play some competitive games of Uno.

Aside from the painful “Draw 4” card in Uno, the biggest challenge this week was working not only around the tides, but also the storms. It’s not unusual in coastal South Carolina to get stray, short-lived rainstorms coming off the ocean, but this week was also marked by several gray, drizzly days. Of course, this type of weather still can’t take away the beauty of the area, but it is unpleasant when you get caught in a sudden downpour while sampling. I also had an unfortunate run in with fire ants while sampling, which was entirely my own fault, because I wasn’t paying enough attention. Luckily, I only got three bites! As strange as it seems, these obstacles only reassured me more that I want to work outside in whichever career path I end up taking, because if these things can’t deter me, then nothing can. 

Outside of work, life in Beaufort has continued to be wonderful. The highlight of my week was my mom coming down for the weekend, mostly because for some reason, she attracts dolphins. We saw dolphins every day she was here, in different places each time- and I hadn’t seen any in the previous four weeks! We spent one day on a very spread out stretch of Hunting Island beach, which was undeniably beautiful all by itself, but made even more awe-inspiring by the dozens of dolphins we saw right off the shore. Of course, I was also glad she was here because I’ve been missing my family, and really thinking hard about what my future would look like if I move away from them. I have always said I want to travel the world, and I do, but the reality of what that would look and feel like has been harder to ignore, even in just the few short weeks I have been away from home. This is definitely something I have reflected on more this summer, and will likely continue to do so into the future.

My mom asked me before she left, “Will you miss this?” The answer is not so black-and-white. I’ll obviously miss the beauty of Beaufort, being so close to the water, all the amazing wildlife, the thriving arts scene, doing hands-on marine ecology research, and of course, my porch. On the other hand though, I am excited to see my family, friends, and pets again; to sleep in my own bed; to get back to a routine at Cornell this fall (hopefully). I answered her that, more than anything, this experience just reassured me that I would be good wherever I go. I would miss my family, friends, and routine, but I would also embrace the new people and opportunities wherever I end up. I know I can- and would- because that is exactly what I did this summer, even under such unconventional circumstances. More than ever, I am just thrilled for what the future may bring.