Wander the Wild Path

The Inner Geologist

Sit down guys, it’s story time!

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I’ve always been obsessed about minerals, gemstones, and rocks in general. The earth is fascinating.

My aunts were big into science, one of them being a high school science teacher. She would love taking me to the mall when I was just a teeny tiny kid - maybe 5 or 6 - and buy me little rocks and gemstones. I’d wear slices of geodes as necklaces I’d make myself. Kids probably thought I was weird, but I loved them. Why? Well, heck if I can remember what I was thinking at age 5 ;)

I also recall, when I was in elementary school, our class took a field trip to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. I remember it being rather boring at the time - I didn’t care much for how the human body worked, or airplanes, etc. But then we were seated in something called the Omnimax theater. Essentially, it’s an IMax, but back in 1998 or so, it was a pretty big deal. I do remember being excited for this - it’s a huge movie, what’s not to love?

But then they showed a video with footage I’ve never before fathomed.

We were flying between walls upon walls of rocks colored an unusual orange and red. The water was rushing as blue as the sky. They took us underneath, the caverns, the waterways, the carving of millions of years of erosion.

It was footage of various canyons in the US, mainly the Grand Canyon. And I had never, ever been so enthralled in anything as much as I was with that video. I realized just how huge the world was, how beautiful, and that was just the beginning.

It sparked something inside me, and to this day, I can still feel it.

When I was in 10th grade, our marching band went to Arizona for a parade. I was fortunately able to afford it (just barely, though.)  Not only was I taken aback entirely by the beauty of Arizona, the red rocks of Sedona, the weather….but I was able to see, first hand, the Grand Canyon. It was unbelievable.

I stood upon an unguarded edge and looked out in wonder. The western wind played with my hair more than I had welcomed it, but I didn’t mind. As some of my friends were out with elevation sickness, I was able to sit down on the edge, unburdened by social pressure, and just…stare. It was one of the most incredible times in my life.

But, just like all school events, it ended far sooner than I had hoped, and I was whisked away from my little spot of wonder. I did swear to go back, and I still plan on it, only this time…I don’t have teachers telling me when to leave. I will spend as much time as I want there.

Science class was always a thrill. In 9th grade we had a very brief section on earth science, and I essentially read the entire chapter front and back. I was already online learning as much as I could. I guess my path in the future was beginning to be more defined - was I destined to be an earth scientist, a geologist? Environmental science?

Well, then college happened.

I applied for my college, was accepted, and enrolled in the Geology program. I was beyond excited, but I do regret one thing: I lost sight of why I started in the first place. I lost sight of the feeling of wonder, the beauty, the desire, everything I had adored as a child and teenager.

With college came so many new experiences, social pressures, stress and anxiety that I dropped my major. I was worried I wouldn’t “find a job” in that field. So, I picked up Information Technology, and graduated in 2011 with my BS.

My graduation present from my parents was an incredibly meaningful flight to Lubbock, texas, where I met up with my then-boyfriend-now-fiance. After spending a week with him, we planned a day trip to Caprock Canyons.

And as soon as I stepped foot on that red soil, the feeling came back. And it hit me like a truck.

He did propose to me there (and I said yes, of course!), and we spent many hours wandering the trails, climbing rocks, enjoying the weather. On the way home, as the rugged landscape turned flat again, I started to wonder.

I was done with college. Completely done. No going back. Student loans due in December. Gotta find that computer job man! Lots of those jobs out there. Well, there was a bit of a twist in my freshman-year-logic plan. Yeah, I can do stuff with computers…but everyone can do that stuff nowadays. So, what’s better - a smaller job market, or a market with enough competition to leave you beaten, bleeding and starving on a freeway?

I decided, as a major leap of faith, at the end of the year I would move in with my fiance in Houston. Big city, lots of jobs! Right?

It wasn’t until I moved here that I realized, oh no Shan, you are quite mislead.

So it’s been nine months here so far as of typing this. I’m making some decent cash at a Subway, but I’m not anywhere I want to be career wise. I started thinking: Maybe it’s time for a switch.

My fiance said something last week. It was something along the lines of, “I wish you stayed in Geology.”

And my goodness, do I ever.

I didn’t have anyone at the time to slap me and stop me from doing stupid things, but now I do. And he’s saying I should’ve never switched. Well, it’s kinda too late for that, right?

Not really…

I’ve been deeply considering going back to school, maybe not for geology exactly, but environmental science? Heck, maybe even environmental education? Teaching the future generations how precious this earth is, how beautiful it is, seems very rewarding. Maybe I can consider working in the state park systems, preserving what we have so little left. Or maybe I’ll just go right back into the full blown science of geology. Hard choice!

So why am I rambling? I guess I can say this…look back on your life: what were you fascinated by the most? Even if you don’t think you can do it now, you may be able to do it someday. It’s not going anywhere, unless it’s a special deal at a restaurant, then maybe you should hurry.

I think I’m going to start researching. I hope that inner wonder never goes away. If I can live the rest of my life working with, helping, supporting, or just being around everything that had once made me so fascinated, awestruck and happy…I think my life will turn out just fine.

One step at a time. If something’s in the way, just walk around it, or wait for it to move…there is no rush. There is never a rush. You’re fine…I’m fine…we’re all fine. In this present moment, everything is OK. Find that goal and get there any way you can.

At least, that’s what a toad taught me.