Some things never change...

So I've completed my first week back at DISL and realized that some things never change.

I'm sure you all know exactly what I mean... The sun always rises in the morning and sets at night, siblings will always bicker (except mine- we're perfect and always love each other), during elections every politician and their mother will call you obnoxiously 9000 times to ask for your vote, your true friends will always have your back, and your goal is always to get through life doing your best.  

Here at DISL, it means that the dorms are still dreadful, the island is still only 7 miles long (why it won't grow, I just can't understand); WalMart (aka civilization) is still more than 30 minutes away; field clothes are acceptable for class/hanging out/going out/ect (we like to call it "beach bum" so that we feel better about ourselves); when it rains, the island ceases to exist (as in it's completely underwater); seeing juncus sends a shiver down my spine; the Coffee Beast is still terrrrrible (because it's closed for good, which does us no good!); and I STILL absolutely love my major and what I get to do here!!

We collect fish, we dissect our own catches,  we go on boat trips, we visit the aquarium, we go to the beach, we snorkel, we swim.  Oh, and it's all school work.  I'm graded on all of that.

But while this island doesn't change and my classes don't change, I have changed.  I'm in a time in my life where everything is changing... everything.  I don't ever stay in one place very long, whether it's visiting home or going to UNA or going to DISL or going on a trip.  I'm constantly adding new things to my schedule at school, so much so that each day is a completely new schedule- my life is never a dull routine.  And next year I have NO IDEA where I'll be going or what my future plans will be because everything I've been planning for my whole life is pretty much over after this year.  I've planned to go through college in marine biology for as long as I can remember, but now I'm almost done.  I've made plans to go to Grad school and get a PhD in Marine Biology, but I don't know where.  At all.  I could go anywhere from North Carolina to Texas to Australia.  Ya know, just the other side of the world. No big!  But there are some things that are constant and I thank the good Lord for them everyday.  One: I have friends and family who never disappoint me, are always there for me, and who are supportive with literally every decision I make. And Two: I have an obsession with everything in the ocean that drives my focus, even when I don't know where I'll end up.

So DISL isn't a new experience for me anymore.  I don't see everything as new excitement, but I do still love everything I'm doing.  And to me, that means that I've picked the right field to work in.  I may not be amazed by the newness, but I am amazed by everything I have to learn.