It has just recently crossed over a year since the 2011 NPS Spring Break Academy took place in those high frosty hinterlands of Jackson Hole. Now I am in New Orleans, steeped in history and community every second of the day and just saving my energy for the next festival (Easter).
I have signed up as a volunteer at the French Quarter site of Jean Lafitte, and I have visited the other national park sites in the area (excluding Chalmette Civil War Battlefield). I have been applying like mad for summer positions, and have given an interview or two with much hope.
Also there are my academic things, which take up a lot of my interest and lifesblood, but I will omit remarks on that subject here.
So yes, now you see what the Academy has given me. Every place I talk to, I tell them what I had the privilege to experience and they are duly impressed. Many of the people at these parks tell me they probably know the people I worked with in Jackson, and I am getting quite a sense for the community of conservationists throughout this nation.
So a year later:
Do I keep up with all the people from the week-long Academy?
No. Not in any substantial way. Facebook friends who will hear me out on anything, I am sure.
Do I keep up with the people I worked alongside in the Tetons for the summer?
Yes. Excluding precious few, I keep up with them just like the other people in my life, and I would let any one of them stay in my home. A few have offered to share their home with me if fortune brings me to their town, and this is a testament to the bond our experience created. Not just a bond, however. They are trying to help me into the park system... a stronger bond than short-term housing...
In his Republic, Plato compares the essence of Genius to a magnet pointing down from the Heavens. We never know who will be pulled by this magnet, but of one thing Plato is sure: like iron shavings, if one is pulled, it will reach out for another shaving close to it, and that one to its dearest and so on. Genius, and good will, and inspiration, can pull with that kind of limitless force.
Until I read that, I had no idea ancient Greek people knew about magnets.
Another important question: have I met new people?
Yes. Since then, I have met Evan Escamilla and conversed with Beth McCarthy and several others. I am constantly giving Betsy Moyer a thorough budget analysis of my two cents. The people are always new, but the mood is always the same. It is a good mood.
So, am I still inspired to chase a career in conservation? Do I still care?
Yes.
Will anybody ever see this?
Somehow I doubt it... but I thank my imaginary readers, as always!
I have signed up as a volunteer at the French Quarter site of Jean Lafitte, and I have visited the other national park sites in the area (excluding Chalmette Civil War Battlefield). I have been applying like mad for summer positions, and have given an interview or two with much hope.
Also there are my academic things, which take up a lot of my interest and lifesblood, but I will omit remarks on that subject here.
So yes, now you see what the Academy has given me. Every place I talk to, I tell them what I had the privilege to experience and they are duly impressed. Many of the people at these parks tell me they probably know the people I worked with in Jackson, and I am getting quite a sense for the community of conservationists throughout this nation.
So a year later:
Do I keep up with all the people from the week-long Academy?
No. Not in any substantial way. Facebook friends who will hear me out on anything, I am sure.
Do I keep up with the people I worked alongside in the Tetons for the summer?
Yes. Excluding precious few, I keep up with them just like the other people in my life, and I would let any one of them stay in my home. A few have offered to share their home with me if fortune brings me to their town, and this is a testament to the bond our experience created. Not just a bond, however. They are trying to help me into the park system... a stronger bond than short-term housing...
In his Republic, Plato compares the essence of Genius to a magnet pointing down from the Heavens. We never know who will be pulled by this magnet, but of one thing Plato is sure: like iron shavings, if one is pulled, it will reach out for another shaving close to it, and that one to its dearest and so on. Genius, and good will, and inspiration, can pull with that kind of limitless force.
Until I read that, I had no idea ancient Greek people knew about magnets.
Another important question: have I met new people?
Yes. Since then, I have met Evan Escamilla and conversed with Beth McCarthy and several others. I am constantly giving Betsy Moyer a thorough budget analysis of my two cents. The people are always new, but the mood is always the same. It is a good mood.
So, am I still inspired to chase a career in conservation? Do I still care?
Yes.
Will anybody ever see this?
Somehow I doubt it... but I thank my imaginary readers, as always!
