u is for underwater

There's just something about aquariums and underwater creatures that sparks a long-abandoned dream in me. When I was in middle school and first had to think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, I probably pondered many things. But, I remember meeting with my high school counselor during my freshman year and having a decision in my mind. As I sat in her office, a shy and painfully insecure teenager, I perhaps grew just a bit in my confidence levels when she asked what career I wanted to pursue. "I want to be a marine biologist," I stated quickly. Looking back, a more accurate statement would have been that, while I was absolutley clueless about what the position would entail, I wanted desperately to swim with dolphins. And that, at the time, was enough to ensure that the job would be to my liking. The whole idea of riding a dolphin just seemed exciting and completely outside of my safe little realm. Now, seemingly so different from that 13-year old kid, I wonder what life would be like had I actually pursued that naive dream. Dolphins still intrigue me and their communication still fascinates, but I can't imagine myself surrounded by so much science, being so far removed from the art field that has drawn me in and refuses to let me go. So, for now, I will be content with occasional trips to aquariums, children's museums, and beaches where the call of the ocean is faint but still audible enough to keep me wondering.