Bird Nerd

I only have a minute. I'm on my way to the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival. I would tell you that it's a work thing and that I probably won't have fun, but that might be a lie. I've discovered recently that I actually LIKE birds. The way other lonely, single girls LIKE cats, I LIKE birds...ok, it's really not that bad, but a few weeks ago, I did stop the car to pull out a pair of binoculars because an American avocet was coming in for a landing at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Maybe we can chalk this up to my amazing ability to become passionate about whateverI do, but I also consider it a sort of conversion.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a physical repulsion to the talking animal movies. You know the ones I'm talking about..."the bear" "milo and otis" "cats"...they generally make me want to die a slow death rather than watch the rest of the movie. Part of my persona, part of the brand that is KaRyn is wrapped up the idea that I don't enjoy animals...and while it IS true that I would rather have a baby than a dog or cat, I think I'm finally ready to shed that falsehood. I love animals. There, I said it. When my family dog had a flea problem, I was the one who came home everyday and scrubbed her down with flea wash to give her a little relief. I can not stand suffering in any shape and that extends to furry, barking, meowing, mewling creepy crawlies. I love animals. I don't want to necessarily TOUCH animals...but I do love them.

I love my job too...does it really get any better than hanging out with 4th graders and seeing the spark of discovery in their eyes? This world is beautiful and amazing and we're so lucky to have it or for it to have us. I'm not quite ready to proudly wear a name tag that says "Bird Nerd" but I'm getting there.