Week 7 Journal Entry - Winter Quarter

This week I have been thinking about how important a work ethic and general habits contribute to a finished product. Considering the way that I have projects and classes going on, I realize that I took on a lot. But I also see the ways that I have given myself space to do all the things that are expected of me for the projects and classes that I am taking. I think that I do a good job of communicating both actively and passively my limitations when it comes to the work that I do, but also devoting my full self and attention to the things that I know how to do. Sometimes I look back at my calendar and truly wonder how I have gotten through a week, but also feel a lot of pride considering the work that I have gotten to do. This week is definitely one of those weeks.

In accordance with the goals that I have set for myself, I feel so happy to have been

able to spend more time outside birding, just wondering and wandering. Kind of what I do best. I am excited to share these moments with the team of interns in the Bird-Window collision project and create moments in the field that allows for horizontal learning. Super exciting. Honestly, for the last week, I have just been really excited to get a chance to go out in the field and spend time devoted to being outside and studying. It’s been about a year since I went on field quarter with Chris Lay and Ryan Carle, and it just seems right that this time around I am dedicating my fieldwork to solving an issue, bird-window collisions.

Something else that has been on my mind for the last week, as I plan for next quarter, is what kind of skills I want to finish my degree at UCSC with. I consider the kinds of classes I will take this next quarter and am encouraging myself to take one more ENVS class, conservation biology with the bird-window collision PI, Dr. Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela. I am hoping that this class will be help develop my understanding of conservation biology and the way that the actual work that scientists are doing interacts with the kind of policies and such that I am interested in. For some reason, I have also been noticing the ways that social structures and programs tend to be at odds with environmental movements. For example, as UCSC considers further expansion of housing options for students, they are continuously sued by environmental groups fighting for the protection of grounds. This is a very hard case considering the scarcity of housing in the area. Since I am extremely focused on social problems and creating solutions, I think having a better understanding of the best methods and how conservation work comes about will be really helpful to understand both sides of the conversation.

Overall, this week has been busy, haven’t they all been? But my mind feels like it’s really taking control of the things I am doing, despite being tired, frustrated, or what other feelings at any given time. I am, per usual, pretty excited.