Sunday was my final internship day at the science center. I ran the marine exhibit one last time and debuted a public program I wrote on the Giant Pacific Octopus. It was probably the best program I've done all summer and I had a great group of visitors who attended. The program ended with me feeding the octopus who actually cooperated and ate the 2 shorecrabs I fed her.
With the close of my internship, I have been reflecting back on the summer, fall, and my move out here to the west coast. I remember sitting in my cold DC house during snowmaggedon in February and reading the marine science center job posting for the first time -- thinking it impossible. I'd long been wanting to try out the Pacific NW and also been waiting for the right chance/way to reenter the environmental education field. I feel so fortunate to have been presented with such an opportunity and to have been able to live out my dream. The experience was wonderful mostly in part to a supportive supervisor, coworkers and volunteers, as well as support received from awesome friends and family back on the east coast. Thank you everyone!
Since I now adore Port Townsend and its people, I've decided to stay here a while longer and try to "make it." Jobs here are far and few and that's the biggest, and maybe only, downfall of this town, but it's a big one. I've been lucky though and have found part time work, potentially full time, for an oceanographer. She has contracts with many different environmental testing entities and I'll be helping her organize and process data that comes in for certain projects. I'll get to work from home and make my own hours which is a new concept for me. I may keep my hours at part time and find a second part time job which will get me out of the house as I don't think my computer will provide the face to face interaction that I need on a weekly basis. I'm in the process of looking for housing and have moved out of the trailer - that went relatively smoothly and my friend Heather moved into it so it's not goodbye forever. I've been living with friends and out of my car in the meantime. I start housesitting Monday for a few weeks which will give me just enough time to find a place to live starting in December.
This is also a week of goodbyes. My friends Gwen and Joe, who I've spent a great deal of my free time since being here have moved to Tacoma. While it's only two hours away and I'm sure I'll see them fairly regularly, it's still sad that I can no longer just swing over to their house for a visit. Also, Dan, ironically also from Pennsylvania, is an awesome fellow I've been dating --- and he is moving permanently back to the east coast, and leaves this weekend. I've been practicing a lot of carpe diem and enjoy every moment that I have left with him.
Despite these transitions, all is well. I know that everything will work out and I'll find housing, figure out the job situation and get to a more comfortable place soon. I'm just happy to be staying in a place I really enjoy surrounded by lovely people. Here's to opening new doors...
photos: gwen and joe, me and dan, view from the science center on the morning of my last day.
1 comment:
oh, Claudie! this all has been so good for you!!! love you so much.
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