Deep Connection to the Ocean: the Beginning Starts the Heart of this Story

Footprints in the Sand; Cocoa Beach, Florida 10.2008

My aunt Shirley definitely helped me become the "ocean lover" that I am. I absolutely fell in love with the ocean when I was a toddler. She encouraged me to experience new adventures and showed me how to appreciate the world. She recently wrote to me, “All those years ago when I first took your little hand and led you down to get your feet wet in the ocean for the first time I never dreamed how much the experience would impact your life. I have always loved the ocean--feel a deep connection to it I can't explain in words--and wanted to share it with my little niece. I watched you fall in love with the big blue that day. I didn't have to explain it to you--you just felt it too & you have never looked back! The ocean is a magical place and this love will always connect us--how cool is that!” 

I remember many great summers spent in Ocean City, Maryland with her; I was only 7. I would travel to visit her in Ocean City as soon as I was out of school for the summer. I would spend my summers with her learning more about the ocean and the beach cleanup projects in the area. The ocean is magical and I think this is why I have a great love for it. When I'm looking at the ocean I feel both the sense of security and the drive to challenge myself. I cannot quite explain it, but I know no matter where I am in the world offshore I am not alone. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to travel and see the world in a new light; I am taking full advantage of this with no regrets. My aunt Shir also expressed lately that “I am so proud of you, your kind heart, your brave adventurous spirit, and your determination to live an authentic life. Your happiness and enthusiasm for life shines in your face and can be felt in your words (even your written words)--and that is why your nickname "Magnet" is so perfect for you because people are attracted to these positive qualities in you.” 

Beach Day; Cocoa Beach, Florida 10.2008

I cannot tell you how awesome it is to have someone in your life that has confidence in you every step of the way. Life has many options to offer us; you can only hope that you chose the right path. With loving friends and family the world does not seem so big. There is nothing you cannot conquer with the love, support, and encouragement that is provided to you. I am gracious to have caring family and friends in my life. With my husband, Adrian, he instills music in our life and I bring the tranquility of the ocean to our front door. Like me, he has a great admiration for life, love, and success. Between my aunt Shir and Adrian, they are my biggest supporters.

A Voyage of Self-Discovery; Persistence of a Dream

Coral Reef Research Project in San Salvador, Bahamas with beginner snorkeler; 05.2005

To better understand the offshore lifestyle, we must first go back to the beginning where my love for the marine environment began. Ever since I was a little girl growing up in a small town; I have adored nature and all that inhabits it. My first glimpse of the powerful beauty that was surrounded by shell-filled sand was shortly after I learned how to walk. You know that one experience that you have as a child and you can replay that memory almost as if it was yesterday? I had that experience when I first stepped onto the beach. The smell of salt overwhelmed my nose, the violent force of water crashed into the rocks that made my ears ring for a moment, and the ocean breeze rolling through my hair all welcomed me with excitement. The softness that tickled my toes and the peace I felt when gazing at the blue water is a flashback that pops into my head every time I come to the beach.

Having this drive to learn more about the marine environment demonstrated to my friends and teachers that I was destined to work in the ocean. When I was in elementary school my friends always told me that they wanted to be a policeman, fire fighter, nurse, doctor, etc; however, none of them ever expressed that they wanted to become a Marine Biologist. I have always been goal-driven and knew in my soul that I would someday follow my footprints in the sand to the ocean. I knew what I wanted out of life, more so than your typical 30 year old that crept around my town. I never really bragged about myself, but I knew in my heart that I was destined for greatness. I concealed the potential to make something out of myself. Little did I know that in a few years I would have the ability to see the ocean's vastness and discover a whole world of color and imagination. I was led into a journey far greater and deeper than I could have ever imagined.

This brings me into my current lifestyle. I graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor's in Science; more specially my major was Wildlife & Fishery Science: specializing in Fishery Science with two minors in Biology and Marine Science. The day of graduation I left Pennsylvania behind and ventured to Florida to fulfill my life-long dream of working in the field as a Marine Biologist.

My footsteps led into what is my greatest discovery, which was to have the compassion, determination, and motivation to reach my goals and have the ability to make new ones. I want to fully exceed my own expectations. I want to show the world that one person can make a difference.

A few of my new goals, but are not limited to:

• Continue to educate the general pubic (target children) about the importance of our environment and raise awareness of marine conservation issues
• Research the coral reefs in San Salvador, Bahamas (I conducted research here in 2005; picture above)
• Share both the wonders of the underwater world and the beauty of the ocean environment through travel writing
• Discuss with Marine Operations and Safety & Environment Shoreside Management the current maritime environmental issues and topics (This could lead me into an Environmental Officer position)

 One of my favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes:

"We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities."