tbt :: Boulder, CO

With summer approaching, I think back to a time when the air was not so humid and not as polluted. Of course there was the high elevation that I had to adjust to, but there was a lot in Boulder, CO that I enjoyed. 

I went to Boulder to be an REU Intern for the Environmental Engineering Department. Although I grew a lot from academic and research portion, I learned a lot about myself, and had to force myself out of my comfort zone. 

There were many things I loved, but here are a few favorites.

First was the beautiful campus.

Every where you turned was green and blue - undisturbed or beautifully arranged.

One of the most outstanding things about Boulder was the motivation to be outside and be active, whether at a local farmer's market or hanging out with your fellow interns. It's not humid like it is in New England and it's so much easier to breath and just be outside.

Boulder was beautiful even when it was pouring rain. And most of the time it's so hot in the summer that you won't mind the downpour.

Of course I couldn't forget fun research team meetings - at a chocolate store :D

And then there's the Celestial Tea Factory (pictures not permitted while inside). As a tea and art lover, I was very happy with my visit.

And then there are those sleepless nights where you stay up for no reason and figure why not just stay up more and catch the sunset.

When I look back a it, I smile looking at where I am now compare to who I was three years ago. It all seems so silly - the things I considered difficult back then. Taking initiative in large social situations; conduct field research on my own without a car or smart phone; and accepting how gray the world actually is - to be kind but also to stand up for myself. When I look back they seemed like nothing, but in that moment I was the only child of two over protective parents who never had the chance to grow outside of home or school.

Many of the people who I talked to at school never bothered applying to jobs outside of state or were too afraid to go far from home or just didn't want the hassle of it. When I look back I am grateful to have taken that chance to grow. It may have only been three months, but that's still time I spent growing instead of going back to the old part-time job down the street from my house that I was so used to and was sure to be easy. Not only that, but it was an eye-opening experience to possible career options I would have never considered. And I grew in confidence knowing that even if I'm in another place almost across the country from home - even if I'm not the most prepared - that in the end I'm capable and I'll be okay. 

But the chance has to be taken by you on your own accord to make the best of the situation and not go into already expecting the worse. Perspective is everything.

In the world, there are plenty of people who want to do good in the world and want to change the world for the better. But in order to change the world, we all need to change and better ourselves. As an aspiring Environmental Engineer, I want to contribute to the wold's water resources and technology. But I can't see exactly how I can do that now or in 20 years because my vision is short. And I can't broaden it by just staying where I am now, mentally (not necessary geographically or physically, but I hope to).

I hope every one out there with passions and aspirations in life give themselves chances to grow and take on new things that may turn fear into excitement.

“Everyone wants to be wanted and if all people wait for someone else to invest in them, the world will be stuck in an eternal stalemate: nobody moves and nobody wins.” 
― Laura L.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Have a wonderful day!

-Chelle